Editing system and editing method

ABSTRACT

Video signals input to a hybrid recorder are output to the main unit of a computer as video signals. The hybrid recorder records the video signals in a built-in hard disk, and also replays the signals from the hard disk, the signals being output to a picture effects device as video signals. The picture effects device applies certain effects to the video signals, which are then output to the main unit as video signals. The main unit displays the image of the video signals and the image of the video signals on a monitor. Thus, editing can be performed easily and speedily, while adding effects.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an editing system and an editingmethod, and more particularly to an editing system and an editing methodsuitably applied to an editing system which handles editing materialsthat require prompt broadcasting such as sports or news.

2. Description of the Related Art

Regarding known editing systems of such types, systems which use a videotape recorder (VTR) as the recording means for recording the material tobe edited have been proposed. Such editing systems sequentially recordlive images such as sports or news with a VTR, and edit the program byreading and using the recorded images as material.

However, when handling live images such as sports or news, an editingsystem should be able to carry out editing operations in a prompt andspeedy manner, in order to provide audiences with images with greaterappeal and presence. However, with the known editing system such asdescribed above, a VTR tape is used for the recording medium, and ittakes time to run a tape to the beginning of a clip, or fast-forward orrewind. Accordingly, VTR operations continue right up to the instantbefore airing, which has been problematic in that speedy editingoperations cannot be performed.

Also, with the known editing system, various types of equipment arenecessary for editing, such as multiple monitors being necessary toconfirm the image which is to be recorded, and to confirm the editingimage. Consequently, the system configuration ends up being large-scale.Further, various types of equipment need to be operated, so operationsbecome complicated, as well.

In this way, known editing systems have not been well thought out forefficient editing operations in a limited environment on location, andneither have such known editing systems been well thought out forhandling materials which require real-time elements, such as sports livecasting and news broadcasts. In other words, such known systems arestill insufficient regarding useability. Particularly, it has beenextremely difficult to provide special effects in a real-time manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in light of the above problems, andit is an object thereof to provide an editing system with improveduseability, which realizes special effects while also realizinghigh-speed real-time editing.

To this end, an editing system according to a first aspect of thepresent invention for editing source video data, comprises: arecording/replaying device for recording the source video data onto arandomly accessible recording medium, and replaying the source videodata recorded onto the recording medium; an effects device forgenerating effect video data by means of applying effects specified bythe editing operator to the replayed video data output from therecording/replaying means; and a computer which is programmed by userinterface means and the editing operator with editing software, thecomputer displaying a graphical user interface corresponding with theediting software program on a display; wherein the computer generatesdesired editing programs by re-arranging in a desired order a pluralityof clip images representing a plurality of editing events and clipimages representing the effects on the display, based on editingprocessing by the editing operator; and wherein a final edited videoprogram is generated by controlling the recording/replaying device andthe effects device, based on the editing programs.

The computer may be programmed to display the following windows on thedisplay: a video display window for displaying video data replayed fromthe recording/replaying device as a dynamic image; a program displaywindow for displaying a plurality of clip images representing theplurality of editing events and a plurality of clip images representingthe plurality of effects, and also generating the editing program bymeans of re-arranging the clip images in a desired order; and an effectsset-up window for setting effects parameter values relating to theeffects.

This editing system may be arranged such that, in the event of insertingeffects set in the effects set-up window between editing eventsdisplayed on the program display window, the computer is programmed topoint to the insertion position of the effects by changing the form of apointing device displayed on the display.

In this case, the computer may be programmed to insert effects betweenthe events by dragging and dropping buttons representing the effectsbetween the events.

Preferably, the computer is programmed to determine the insertionposition of the effects according to the position for dropping thecursor representing the effects in the clip image display area where theevents of the effects are displayed.

In this case, a plurality of effect buttons for setting desired effectsmay be provided in the effects set-up window.

When such a plurality of effect buttons are used, in a specific form ofthe invention, the arrangement may be such that, in the event thatdesired effect parameter values differing from the default values are tobe set for effects displayed in the effects set-up window, the computeropens an effects set-up dialog box for setting detailed effect parametervalues relating to the specified effects on the display; and wherein theeffect parameter values set in the effects set-up dialog box are storedin storing means; and wherein the effects device is controlled based onthe recorded effect parameter values.

Alternatively, the arrangement may be such that, in the event thatdesired effect parameter values are to be set for effects displayed inthe effects set-up window, the computer sets the effects position in thevideo display window; and wherein effect parameter values correspondingto the set effects position are stored in storing means; and wherein theeffects device is controlled based on the recorded effect parametervalues.

Preferably, in the specific form of the invention set forth above, thecomputer is programmed to appropriate the effect parameter values storedin the storing means to user buttons other than the certain effectbuttons, and call desired effect parameter values stored in the storingmeans by selecting the user buttons.

In this case, the computer may be programmed to appropriate the effectparameter values stored in the storing means to user buttons other thanthe certain effect buttons, by dragging and dropping the certain effectbuttons on the user buttons.

In the specific form of the invention set forth above, the computer maybe programmed to appropriate a plurality of effect parameter values thathave been set in the past by the effects set-up dialog box to userbuttons other than the certain effect buttons displayed in the effectsset-up window, and call desired effect parameter values stored in thestoring means by selecting the user buttons.

In this case, the computer may have management record data for managingclip image data displayed in the program display area.

In this case, the arrangement may be such that, in the event of changingthe display order of clip images displayed in the program display area,the computer does not change the storage address of the clip imagedisplayed in the program display area, but rather changes the managementrecord data corresponding with the changed clip image.

Preferably, the computer manages the clip images displayed on theprogram display area by using a link structure for linking the pluralityof pieces of management record data.

In this case, the management record data preferably includes managementrecord data having information relating to the editing events, andmanagement record data having information relating to the effects.

In this case, the arrangement may be such that, the management recorddata relating to the editing events has time code for editing points ofthe editing events, storing addresses which store clip images of theediting points, and pointer data pointing to management records linkingto management record data relating to the editing events; and whereinthe management record data relating to the effects has effect typesindicating the type of the effects, effect times representing theexecution time of the effects, and pointer data pointing to managementrecords linking to management record data relating to the editingevents; and wherein the computer controls the recording/replaying deviceand the effects device according to the parameters set in the managementrecord data relating to the editing events and the management recorddata relating to the effects.

Preferably, in the event that a first editing event, a second editingevent, and a first effect inserted between the first and second editingevents are set on the program display area, the editing device therecording/replaying device and the effects device so as to: replay videodata relating to the first editing event from the recording/replayingdevice based on the time code data of the IN-point set in the managementrecord data corresponding to the first editing event; control theeffects processing timing for the video data relating to the firstediting event according to the time code data of the OUT-point set inthe management record data corresponding to the first editing event, andaccording to the effects time set in the management record datacorresponding to the first effect; control the effects processing timingfor the video data relating to the second editing event according to thetime code data of the IN-point set in the management record datacorresponding to the first editing event, and according to the effectstime set in the management record data corresponding to the firsteffect; and ending the replaying of video data relating to the firstediting event from the recording/replaying device based on the time codedata of the OUT-point set in the management record data correspondingwith the first recording event.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, an editingmethod for editing the source video data uses an editing systemincluding: recording/replaying means for recording the source video dataonto a randomly accessible recording medium, and replaying the sourcevideo data recorded onto the recording medium; and a computer whichcontrols the recording/replaying means to perform editing operations forgenerating a final video program by editing the source video data;wherein the computer generates desired editing programs by re-arrangingin a desired order a plurality of clip images representing a pluralityof editing events and clip images representing the effects on thedisplay, based on editing processing by the editing operator; andwherein a final edited video program is generated by controlling therecording/replaying device and the effects device, based on the editingprograms.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, an editing devicefor editing source video data recorded in a recording/replaying deviceand source audio data corresponding to the source video data comprises:means for setting a start point and stop point for performing voice-overto the source audio data; means for replaying source video data andsource audio data for at least a period including the voice-over perioddefined by the start point and stop point of the voice-over processing;and control means for lowering the level of the source audio datareplayed from the recording/replaying means from a certain time beforethe start point of the voice-over processing to a certain time after theend point of the voice-over processing, and also recording voice-overaudio data supplied as audio data subjected to voice-over processing forthe source video data with the recording/replaying device.

In the editing device of the present inventions, the arrangement may besuch that during the replaying of the source video data and source audiodata, the control means displays the timing of the start point and stoppoint for performing voice-over processing on the display.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, an editingmethod for editing source video data recorded in a recording/replayingdevice and source audio data corresponding to the source video datacomprises the steps of: setting a start point and stop point forperforming voice-over to the source audio data; replaying source videodata and source audio data for at least a period including thevoice-over period defined by the start point and stop point of thevoice-over processing; and lowering the level of the source audio datareplayed from the recording/replaying means from a certain time beforethe start point of the voice-over processing to a certain time after theend point of the voice-over processing, and also recording voice-overaudio data supplied as audio data subjected to voice-over processing forthe source video data with the recording/replaying device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configurationof an editing system according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating another example of theconfiguration of an editing system according to a first embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the internal configuration of acomputer making up the editing system shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configurationof the picture effects device 6 shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating and example of the GUI when in thepicture mode;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the GUI when in thetime-line mode;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the time-linedisplay area;

FIG. 8 is a diagram describing first management record data;

FIG. 9 is a diagram describing second management record data for clipdata;

FIG. 10 is a diagram describing second management record data for eventdata and program data;

FIG. 11 is a diagram describing second management record data foreffects data;

FIG. 12 is a diagram describing second management record data for DSKdata;

FIG. 13 is a diagram describing index No., clip No., and event No.;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of each display area;

FIG. 15 is a diagram describing the method for managing the clip displayarea;

FIG. 16 is a diagram describing the method for managing the eventdisplay area;

FIG. 17 is a diagram describing the method for managing the programdisplay area;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the hybridrecorded in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2;

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the replay speedsetting area;

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating the external configuration of thededicated controller shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2;

FIG. 21 is a diagram describing the storage format of speed data;

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating and example of display of the cue-upsetting screen;

FIG. 23 is a diagram describing the pre-roll mode;

FIG. 24 is a diagram for describing the hierarchical structure forstoring work data;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart for describing initial operation;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart for describing marking operation at the recordingside;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart for describing marking operation at the replayside;

FIG. 28 is another flowchart for describing marking operation at thereplay side;

FIG. 29 is a flowchart for describing trimming operation;

FIG. 30 is a flowchart for describing pre-roll operation;

FIG. 31 is another flowchart for describing pre-roll operation;

FIG. 32 is a flowchart for describing program-creating operation;

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an example of display of the imageeffects set-up area;

FIG. 34 is a flowchart for describing effects assigning process;

FIG. 35 is a flowchart for describing the effects set-up processing whencreating a program;

FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating an example of display of the effectsset-up dialog box;

FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating an example of display of the effectsdetailed settings dialog box;

FIG. 38 is a diagram for illustrating the cursor changing;

FIG. 39A-FIG. 39B are diagrams describing the insertion position of clipimage data with effects set;

FIG. 40 is a diagram describing the principle of change of the cursor;

FIG. 41 is a flowchart describing the sub-image area adjusting processfor when setting picture-in-picture;

FIG. 42 is a diagram illustrating an example of display of thepicture-in-picture area setting screen;

FIG. 43 is a flowchart illustrating the mask area adjusting process forwhen setting DSK;

FIG. 44 is a diagram illustrating an example of the DSK set-up dialogbox;

FIG. 45 is a diagram illustrating an example of the mask area set-updialog box;

FIG. 46 is a diagram illustrating an example of display of the directeffects operating window;

FIG. 47 is a diagram illustrating an example of display of the directeffects set-up dialog box;

FIG. 48 is a flowchart describing the voice-over input process;

FIG. 49 is a diagram describing the voice-over channel;

FIG. 50 is a diagram describing the IN point for voice-over;

FIG. 51 is a diagram describing the OUT point for voice-over;

FIG. 52 is a diagram describing the range for voice-over;

FIG. 53 is a flowchart for describing preview processing;

FIG. 54 is a diagram describing the replay range in the previewoperation;

FIG. 55A-FIG. 55B are diagram describing the decay of audio signals inthe preview operation;

FIG. 56 is a flowchart for describing the voice-over recording process;

FIG. 57 is a diagram describing the recording range when conductingvoice-over recording;

FIG. 58 is a flowchart describing the IN point signal output process;

FIG. 59 is a diagram illustrating an example of display in step S342 inFIG. 58;

FIG. 60A-FIG. 60D are diagram illustrating examples of display in stepsS342, S344, S346, and S348 in FIG. 58;

FIG. 61 is a diagram illustrating examples of output of audio in stepsS342, S344, and S346 in FIG. 58;

FIG. 62 is a flowchart describing the OUT point signal output process;

FIG. 63 is a diagram illustrating an example of display at the time ofcompletion of voice-over recording;

FIG. 64 is a flowchart describing recording processing;

FIG. 65 is a diagram illustrating an example of display after ending ofthe saving process;

FIG. 66 is a diagram describing the recording area of the hard diskdriven by the HDD shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 67 is a diagram illustrating an example of display of themulti-control panel;

FIG. 68 is a flowchart illustrating multi-synchronous processing;

FIG. 69 is a flowchart describing processing for generating mark data;

FIG. 70 is a diagram describing synchronous processing; and

FIG. 71 is a diagram describing the timing of signal output.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Description will now be made of an embodiment of the present inventionwith reference to the drawings. In the present description, the term“system” shall refer to the equipment in whole comprised of a pluralityof devices.

<Overall Configuration of the Editing System>

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes the overall editing system towhich the present invention has been applied, which can be generallybroken down into a computer 2, a hybrid recorder 3, and an image effectsdevice (effector) 6. The computer 2 is comprised of a CPU, variousprocessing circuits, a floppy disk drive for driving a floppy disk 2 f,a main unit 2 a having a hard disk and so forth, a monitor 2 b connectedto the main unit 2 a, a keyboard 2 c, a mouse 2 d, and a dedicatedcontroller 2 e. Such a computer 2 has application programs for editingimage data installed in the hard disk drive therein beforehand, and theediting system is started up by activating the application programsunder the operating system.

Incidentally, the application programs include a GUI (graphical userinterface) for generating control commands used for the editing work,and in the event that the application program is started, a graphicaldisplay is displayed on the monitor 2 b for the GUI.

On the other hand, the hybrid recorder 3 (details to be described laterwith reference to FIG. 18) is comprised of a hard disk array formed of aplurality of hard disks linked in an array, and a VTR provided forbacking up the hard disk array. This hybrid recorder 3 is arranged tosequentially record externally provided SDI (Serial Digital Interface)format source video signals V1 and source audio signals A1. This hybridrecorder 3 performs recording and replay seemingly at the same time, andis arranged so as to record video signals V1 and audio signals A1 and atthe same time replay the recorded video signals V1 and audio signals A1in real-time.

Incidentally, the replayed video signals and audio signals are suppliedto the picture effects device 6 as video signals V3 and audio signalsA3. Also, out of the signals input, the hybrid recorder 3 outputs videosignals V1 without any change as video signals V2, and the output videosignals V2 (almost the same as video signals V1, signal-wise) aresupplied to the main unit 2 a of the computer 2. Now, the video signalsV1 and the audio signals A1 input there are composite video signalstaken by a video camera or the like or composite video signals sent froma VTR, and corresponding audio signals.

The picture effects device 6 (details described later with reference toFIG. 4) takes the video signals V3 from the video signals V3 and audiosignals A3 supplied from the hybrid recorder 3 and subjects these videosignals V3 to certain processing, following which these are output to anunshown device as video signals V5. At this time, the correspondingaudio signals are delayed by an amount of time corresponding with theprocessing time of the video signals, and are output in a mannersuperimposed on the video signals V5. The picture effects device 6 alsosupplies video signals with special effects applied thereto to the mainunit 2 a of the computer 2 as composite video signals, in the form ofvideo signals V6.

The main unit 2 a of the computer 2 and the hybrid recorder 3, and themain unit 2 a and the picture effects device 6, are each connected bycommunication cables 4 based on the communication format of an RS-422interface, and are arranged so as to transfer control commands andcorresponding responses, via the communication cables. Incidentally, thecommunication format of the RS-422 interface is a communication formatwhich allows simultaneous transmission/reception of control commands andcorresponding response commands.

Now, the operation of this editing system 1 shall be described briefly.First, composite video signals V1 taken by a video camera or the likeare input in the hybrid recorder 3, and are sequentially recorded. Also,video signals V2 which pass through the hybrid recorder 3 and are outputas is are input to the main unit 2 a of the computer 2. The main unit 2a generates a reduced image according to the video signals V23, anddisplays the image on the monitor 2 b. On the other hand, the hybridrecorder 3 encodes the input video signals V1 in real-time, and recordsthese on the hard-disk array and VTR.

The operator of the computer 2 instructs editing points (includingediting points for providing certain effects) such as IN points (pointto start editing) and OUT points (point to end editing) by means ofoperating a pointing device such as the mouse 2 d connected to thecomputer 2 while watching the video signals V2 displayed on the monitor2 b which serves as the display means. The operator also uses the GUIdisplayed on the monitor 2 b to generate control commands for editing.These control commands are transferred to the hybrid recorder 3 and thepicture effects device 6 as RS-422 control commands. Thus, the replayoperation of the hybrid recorder 3 is controlled, and the replayed videosignals V3 are provided with effects as necessary at the picture effectsdevice 6, and then supplied to the computer 2 as video signals V6, wherethey are displayed on the monitor 2 b thereof, and also sent outexternally as video signals V5.

In this way, the editing system 1 allows the operator to perform workeasily by operating a pointing device such as the mouse 2 d whilewatching the monitor 2 b. Also, with this editing system 1, editing workcan be performed in real-time, by means of using a hybrid recorder 3with which recording and replaying can be performed almostsimultaneously, and a picture effects device 6. Thus, effects can beapplied to material such as sports and news broadcasts withoutinterfering with the real-time nature thereof, and thus edit thesematerials.

FIG. 2 represents another example of the configuration of the editingsystem 1. In this configuration example, four of the hybrid recorders 3are provided, namely, hybrid recorder 3 a through hybrid recorder 3 d.One of these serves as a main-channel hybrid recorder 3 a, and anotherserves as the sub-channel hybrid recorder 3 b. The signals output by themain hybrid recorder 3 a i.e., video signals V3 and audio signals A3 areinput into the picture effects device 6 without any alteration. On theother hand, the video signals and audio signals output by the hybridrecorder 3 b through hybrid recorder 3 d are input into an input/outputselecting device 7, whereby one of these is selected and input to thepicture effects device 6 as video signals V4 and audio signals A4. Otherconfigurations of this arrangement are the same as in FIG. 1.

In this case, the picture effects device 6 provides certain effects tothe main channel video signals and the video signals selected by theinput/output selecting device 7 from the other video signals, followingwhich the signals are output.

In this editing system, images can be synchronized and recorded from amaximum of four places. The picture effects device 6 serves as aso-called A-roll effector, and is capable of taking pictures from twochannels as pictures to be subjected to effects. Accordingly, the mainchannel picture and the picture selected by the input/output selectingdevice 7 can serve as objects of editing and take the certain effects.The hybrid recorders 3 a through 3 d have a synchronized time code(i.e., the time code of the picture recorded in the respective HDDs andthe recording addresses match), and pictures from four places and bysynchronously recorded by means of supplying the same commands to thehybrid recorders 3 a through 3 d. Then, two pictures can besynchronously replayed therefrom, and output provided with the certaineffects.

<Internal Configuration of the Computer>

This section describes the internal configuration of the computer 2 indetail. As shown in FIG. 3, the computer 2 has a system bus fortransferring commands and video data, a CPU 10 which controls the entirecomputer, first and second video processors 11 and 12 which performimage processing and the like for the input video signals, a displaycontroller 13 for managing graphics display for displaying video dataand GUI on the monitor 2 b, a HDD interface 15 for controlling the localhard disk drive (local HDD), an FDD interface for controlling the floppydisk drive (FDD) 16 a for driving the floppy disk 2 f, a pointing deviceinterface 17 for generating control commands based on commands from apointing device such as the mouse (cursor controlling device) 2 d,dedicated controller 2 e, and keyboard 2 c, and an external interface 18having a software driver for conducting data communication based on theRS-422 communication format between the hybrid recorders 3 a through 3d, image effects device 6, and input/output selecting device 7.

The system bus 5 is a bus for performing communication within thecomputer 2 such as video data and command data, or address data, etc.The system bus 5 is comprised of an image data bus 5 a for transferringvideo data and a command data bus 5 b for transferring command data andthe like.

Connected to the image data bus 5 a is the CPU 10, the first and secondvideo processors 11 and 12, the display controller 13, HDD interface 15,and the FDD interface 16, with the aforementioned first and second videoprocessors 11 and 12, display controller 13, HDD interface 15, and FDDinterface 16 being arranged to perform transfer of video data via thisimage data bus 5 a.

On the other hand, connected to the command data bus 5 b is the CPU 10,the first and second video processors 11 and 12, the display controller13, HDD interface 15, the FDD interface 16, the pointing deviceinterface 17, and the external interface 18 (i.e., all internal blocksof the computer 2 are connected thereto), being arranged to performtransfer of command data and address via this command data bus 5 b.

The CPU 10 is a block for performing control of the entire computer 2,and has ROM 10 a which stores the operating system of the computer 2,and RAM 10 b which stores uploaded application programs and the like. Inthe event of starting up the computer 2, the CPU executes a softwareprogram based on the operating system stored in the ROM 10 a. In theevent of executing an application program under the activated operatingsystem, the CPU 10 first reads the application program stored in thehard disk of the hard disk drive 15 a, uploads the application programto the RAM 10 b, following which the application program is executed.

The first video processor 11 is a block for receiving a first videosignal V2 input to the computer 2, subjecting the first video signal V2to data conversion, and temporarily backing up that converted videodata. More specifically, the first video processor 11 is comprised of aprocessor controller 11 a controlling the entire video processor 11, adata converting unit 11 b for converting the received analog compositevideo signals V2 into digital component video data, and frame memory 11c for temporarily storing several frames of video data sent from thedata converting unit 11 b.

The processor controller 11 a sends control signals to the dataconverting unit 11 b, so as to control the data converting operation ofthe data converting unit 11 b, and also to extract the time code fromthe composite video signals V2. Also, the processor controller 11 asends control signals to the frame memory 11 c so as to control theread/write timing read/write address of the frame memory 11 c.Incidentally, regarding read timing, the processor controller 11 acontrols the read timing of the frame memory 11 c so that the time codesent to the display controller and the video data (frame data)correspond.

The data converting unit 11 b converts the analog composite videosignals V2 into component video signals, based on the control signalsfrom the processor controller 11 a, and subsequently converts the analogcomponent video signals into digital video data. Incidentally, the timecode is extracted at the point that the analog component video signalsare converted into digital video data. The digital-converted video datais sent to the frame memory 11 c and the extracted time code is sent tothe processor controller 11 a.

Here, the time code is encoded and inserted into the two lines 14H and16 h, or 12H and 14H, in the vertical blanking period of the compositevideo signals V2; i.e., so called VITC (Vertical Interval Time Code).Accordingly, in the event of extracting the time code from the compositevideo signals V2, the time code can be easily extracted by decoding onlythe time code from the vertical synchronous period converted intodigital. Incidentally, this time code has been added in the hybridrecorder 3 (by the second time code adding unit 312 shown in FIG. 18) atthe point of outputting the video signals V2.

The frame memory 11 c temporarily stores the video data supplied fromthe data converting unit 11 b. The read/write timing of this framememory 11 c is controlled by the processor controller 11 a as describedabove. This frame memory 11 c is comprised of two sets of frame memory,having a total of 4 Megabytes of storage capacity. The video data storedin this frame memory 11 c is video data comprised of 1520 pixels by 960pixels per frame, and the frame memory is arranged so as to be able tostore two frames of such video data.

The 1520 pixel by 960 pixel video data stored in the frame memory 11 cis read out based on read control from the processor controller 11 a.The 1520 pixel by 960 pixel video data read out from the frame memory 11c is video data which has been pruned of data amount, so that it is 350pixel by 240 pixel video data instead of the 1520 pixel by 960 pixelfull-pixel video data. The process of pruning here involves simplyreducing the sampling rate of reading the video data from the framememory 11 c to 1/4, so that the amount of read video data is reduced.The 350 pixel by 240 pixel video data thus read is sent to the displaycontroller 13 via the image data bus 5 a (this image is then displayedon monitor 2 b on the recording video screen 21 a shown in FIG. 5, asdescribed later).

The second video processor 12 has exactly the same configuration as thefirst video processor 11. That is, the second video processor 12 iscomprised of a processor controller 12 a controlling the entire videoprocessor 12, a data converting unit 12 b for converting the receivedanalog composite video signals V6 into digital component video data, andframe memory 12 c for temporarily storing several frames of video datasent from the data converting unit 12 b. The point in which the firstvideo processor 11 and the second video processor 12 differ is thatcomposite video signals V2 output from the hybrid recorder 3 are inputto the first video processor 11, while composite video signals V6 outputfrom the picture effects device 6 are input to the second videoprocessor 12.

The composite video signals V2 here are input video signals V1 whichhave been superimposed with a time code in the vertical synchronousperiod within the hybrid recorder, and thus time-wise are the same videosignals as the input video signals V1 which are input in real-time. Thatis, the video data stored in the frame memory 11 c is the same videodata as the digitized video signals V1. Conversely, the composite videosignals V6 are video signals which have been replayed from the hybridrecorder 3 by commands from the computer 2, and provided with effects bythe picture effects device 6 as necessary. Accordingly, the compositevideo signals V6 are video signals which are offset time-wise (off-time)as compared to the input video signals V1.

This point will be dealt with in detail below. When the operator issuescommands to the computer 2 to replay certain video data, the computer 2sends replay commands for that video data to the hybrid recorder 3(hereafter referred to simply as “hybrid recorder 3” in the event thatthere is no need to differentiate between the individual hybridrecorders 3 a through 3 d). The hybrid recorder 3 replays the video datathat the operator has specified, according to the replay commands fromthe computer 2. Also, the hybrid recorder 3 stores time code whichmatches the video data frame to frame, and replays the time code of thereplayed video data based on this correlation.

Then, the hybrid recorder 3 superimposes the replayed time code in thevertical synchronous period of the replayed video data, and converts thevideo data obtained thus into analog composite video signals V3 so thatthe video data can be transferred to the picture effects device 6.Consequently, the analog composite video signals V3 are transferred tothe picture effects device 6. The picture effects device 6 then providesthe video signals V3 with effects according to the commands from thecomputer 2, and outputs the video signals as composite video signals V6to the computer 2. The composite video signals V6 are thus video signalsreplayed according to commands from the operator, and thus are signalsasynchronous with the input video signals V1.

In the same manner as the composite video signals V2 supplied to thefirst video processor 11, the composite video signals V6 supplied to thesecond video processor 12 are subjected to certain signal processing viathe data converting unit 12 b and the frame memory 12 c, and transferredto the display controller 13 as 380 pixel by 240 pixel digital videodata (this image is then displayed on the monitor 2 b on the recordingvideo screen 21 a shown in FIG. 5, as described later).

The display controller 13 is a control block for controlling datadisplayed on the monitor 2 b. The display controller 13 has a memorycontroller 13 a and VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) 13 b. The memorycontroller 13 a controls the read/write timing of the VRAM 13 b,according to the internal cycle of the computer 2. Stored within thisVRAM 13 b are the video data from the frame memory 11 c of the firstvideo processor 11, the video data from the frame memory 12 c of thesecond video processor 12, and image data from the CPU 10, each based ontiming signals from the memory controller 13 a.

The image data stored in this VRAM 13 b is read from the VRAM 13 b basedon timing control signals from the memory controller 13 b according tothe internal cycle of the computer 2, and graphics are displayed on themonitor 2 b. The graphic display thus displayed on the monitor 2 bserves as the graphic display for the GUI. Now, the image data sent fromthe CPU 10 to the VRAM 13 b is image data such as windows, cursors,scroll bars, etc. Displaying these multiple types of image data on themonitor 2 b yields the graphic display for the GUI.

The hard disk interface 15 is an interface block for communicating withthe local hard disk drive (HDD) 15 a provided within the computer 2. Thehard disk interface 15 and hard disk drive 15 a communicate based on theSCSI (Small Computer System Interface) transfer format.

The hard disk drive 15 a has installed therein application programswhich start up on the computer 2, and in the event of executing theseapplication programs, the application program is read from the hard diskdrive 15 a and uploaded to the RAM 10 b of the CPU 10. Also, in theevent of ending this application program, the work data file created bythe editing operation and stored in the RAM 10 b is downloaded to thehard disk via the hard disk drive 15 a.

The floppy disk interface 16 is an interface block for communicationwith the floppy disk drive (FDD) 16 a provided within the computer 2.The floppy disk interface 16 and the floppy disk drive 16 a are arrangedso as to conduct communication based on the SCSI transfer format. Also,EDLs (Edit Decision List) and the like indicating the results of editingby the editing operation are recorded in the floppy disk 2 f via thefloppy disk drive 16 a.

The pointing device interface 17 is an interface block for receivinginformation from the mouse 2 d, dedicated controller 2 e, and keyboard 2c, which are connected to the computer 2. The pointing device interface17 receives from the mouse 2 d, for example, detection information for atwo-dimensional rotary encoder provided to the mouse 2 d, and clickinformation from the left and right buttons provided to the mouse 2 d,and decodes and outputs received information to the CPU 10. In the samemanner, the pointing device interface 17 receives information from thededicated controller 2 e and keyboard 2 c, and decodes and outputsreceived information to the CPU 10.

The external interface 18 is a block for communicating with the hybridrecorder 3, picture effects device 6, and input/output selecting device7, which are connected externally to the computer 2. The externalinterface 18 has an RS-422 driver for converting command data generatedat the CPU 10 into RS-422 communication protocol, and the externalinterface 18 performs actions via the RS-422 driver such as sendingcontrol commands such as replay commands to the hybrid recorder, sendingcontrol commands to cause the input/output selecting device 7 to selecta certain signal, and sending control command signals for providingcertain effects at the picture effects device 6.

FIG. 4 illustrates a configuration example of the picture effects device6 which serves as an A-roll effector. Input to the terminal 704 aremain-channel video signals V3 and audio signals A3 which are output fromthe hybrid recorder 3 a, and input to the terminal 703 are video signalsV4 and audio signals A4 which are output from the hybrid recorder whichthe input/output selecting device 7 has selected from the hybridrecorders 3 b through 3 d. The video signals V3 and audio signals A3which are input into the terminal 704 are converted from serial data toparallel data by the serial/parallel converter 710, and then the timingthereof is adjusted by the time-base collector 714. Of the signalsoutput by the time-base collector 714, the video signals are supplied tothe freeze memory 718 and stored, and also supplied to the terminal DIN1of the cross-point switch 717. The picture data stored in the freezememory 718 is read out therefrom, and supplied to a terminal FMFZ of thecross-point switch 717.

Of the signals output by the time-base collector 714, the audio signalsare input to the audio expander 743 and subjected to expandingprocessing, following which the signals are delayed by one frame, bymeans of the 1-frame delay circuit 744. This delay time corresponds withthe amount of time necessary for the image computing processing in theimage computing device 720. The output of the 1-frame delay circuit 744is input to the audio compressor 745 and compressed, and then suppliedto the picture-audio synthesizing circuit 725.

The video signals V4 and audio signals A4 which are input into theterminal 703 are converted from serial data to parallel data by theserial/parallel converter 709, and then input to the time-base collector713 where the timing thereof is adjusted. Of these signals, the videosignals V4 are further input to the terminal DIN2 of the cross-pointswitch 717.

Input to 701 and 702 are externally supplied DSK (Downstream Keying)fill signals and DSK key signals. The DSK fill signals are convertedfrom serial data to parallel data by the serial/parallel converter 707,the timing thereof is adjusted by the time-base collector 711, andsupplied to the terminal DSKF of the cross-point switch 717. The DSK keysignals are converted from serial data to parallel data by theserial/parallel converter 708, the timing thereof is adjusted by thetime-base collector 712, and supplied to the terminal DSKS of thecross-point switch 717.

The image data on which is based the internal DSK signals read from thefloppy disk is supplied to the image memory 737 which serves as a bufferfrom the FDD interface 741 via the CPU bus 746, and is stored.

The cross-point switch 717 selects a certain one of the picture signalsinput from the terminals FMFZ, DIN1, or DIN2, and supplies this to theterminal FRGD or BKGD or the image computing device 720. The picturebefore switching (background video) is supplied to the terminal BKGD,and the picture after switching (foreground video) is supplied to theterminal FRGD.

The terminal DSKS of the image computing device 720 is supplied with keysignals selected by the setting of the GUI (i.e., key signals from theterminal 702 or key signals from the floppy disk 742), and the terminalDSKF thereof is supplied with fill signals selected by the GUI (i.e.,fill signals from the terminal 701 or matte color signals from theinternal generator). Key signals from the terminal 702 are input to theterminal EXTK of the image computing device 720.

The image computing device 720 provides certain effects to the imagedata input from the terminals, and the image data to which effects havebeen applied are output from the terminals M/E or DFS. Image datawithout DSK is output from the terminal M/E, and supplied to theterminal M/E of the cross-point switch 717. Also, image data includingDSK processing is output from the terminal DFS of the image computingdevice 720, and is input to the terminal DFS of the cross-point switch717.

For example, in the event of switching from the main channel to thesub-channel and putting effects on the sub-channel, the cross-pointswitch 717 supplies the output of the freeze memory 718 input to theterminal FMFZ to the terminal BKGD of the image computing device 720,and supplies image data that is input to the terminal DIN2 of thecross-point switch 717 from the time-base collector 713 to the terminalFRGD of the image computing device 720. The image computing device 720switches the image from the image supplied from the terminal FRGD to theimage supplied from the terminal BKGD and subjected to effects, outputsthe latter image from the terminals M/E and DFS, and provides feedbackto the corresponding terminal of the cross-point switch 717.

The cross-point switch 717 selects one of the image data input from theterminal M/E or DFS, and outputs this to the terminal MON or PGM. Theimage data output from the terminal MON of the cross-point switch 717 isconverted into composite video signals by means of the composite signalconverter 721, and is output to the computer 2 from the terminal 723 asvideo signals V6. The video signals v6 are displayed on the replay videoscreen 23 a, later described with reference to FIG. 5.

The video data output from the terminal PGM of the cross-point switch717 is input to the picture output processing unit 724, and followingcertain image processing, is input to the picture audio synthesizingcircuit 725, and is synthesized with the audio signals input from theaudio compressor 745. The signals output from the picture audiosynthesizing circuit 725 are converted from parallel data to serial databy the parallel/serial converter 726, and output from the terminals 727through 730 to an unshown device.

Certain video signals are input to the terminal 705. These signals areoutput as through signals from the terminal 706 without change to anunshown device, and are also input to the time code generating unit 715.The time code generating unit 715 generates a time code synchronouslywith the video signals supplied from the terminal 705. The time code issupplied to the appropriate CPU 734 via the serial interface 716 and CPUbus 746. The CPU 734 controls the various members synchronously withthis time code. Hence, image effects processing synchronous withexternally input video signals can be realized.

The flash memory 735 stores programs to be processed by the CPU 734, andthe static ram 736 stores as appropriate various types of data to beprocessed by the CPU 734.

Connected to the RS-422 terminals 731 and 732 via the communicationcables 4 is the personal computer 2. The serial input/output controller733 executes the interface processing of commands received via theRS-422 terminals 731 and 732.

The CPU 734 is also arranged so as to be able to control from theterminals 747 through 749 of a GPI (General-Purpose Interface). Input tothe terminal 747 are signals which control the on/off of effects, inputto the terminal 748 are signals which turn the DSK on, and input to theterminal 749 are signals which turn the DSK off.

The mouse is connected to the RS-232 terminal 739, and connected to theterminal 740 is a personal computer having software for monitoring anddiagnosing ISR (Interactive Status Reporting) devices such as thepicture effects device 6, for example. The serial interface 738 executesinterface processing between these terminals 739-740 and the deviceconnected thereto.

<Graphics Display for GUI>

Picture Mode

Two graphics modes are provided to the editing system 1 for GUIpurposes, namely, the picture mode wherein the operator watches IN pointand OUT point screens of registered events, and rearranges the order ofthe events to edit the program, and the other is the time-line modewherein the operator adjusts the length of the program while watchingthe time-length of the registered events. The operator can easily switchbetween these two modes by clicking on the mode button 22 b shown inFIG. 5 as described later, so the user can select the GUI with greaterease-of-use depending on the object of editing, thereby improvinguseability in editing work.

In this section, first, the picture mode will be described. In the caseof the picture mode, a graphics display is displayed on the monitor 2 b,as shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the.graphics display in thepicture mode is generally divided into ten areas, namely, the recordedvideo display area 21, timing display area 22, replay video display area23, recorded video marking area 24, picture effects set-up area 25,recycle box area 36 i, replay video marking area 27, clip display area28, event display area 29, and program display area 10.

The recorded video display area 21 has a recorded video screen 21 a,start recording button 21 b, normal button 21 c, voice-over button 21 d,and drop display portion 21 e. The video signals displayed in therecorded video screen 21 a are video signals obtained from the compositevideo signals V2 output from the hybrid recorder 3 a, which have beenpruned by the computer 2 at the point of being supplied from the framememory 11 c to the VRAM 13 b so that the image size thereof is changedto 380 pixels by 240 pixels.

The start recording button 21 b is operated when setting the point tostart recording on the hard disk (HDD 300 in FIG. 18) of the digitalvideo tape recorder (VTR 301 in FIG. 18) to either the current replayposition or the head of the hard disk. The normal button 21 c andvoice-over button 21 d are selectively operated for selecting therespective mode. The drop display portion 21 e displays the frame modefor the digital video recorder. (In the case of NTSC video signals, thenumber of frames per second is not precisely 30, but rather a numberwith fractions such as 29.xxx, so “drop” or “non-drop” is applied forthe time-code counting method for absorbing this margin.)

The tally display area 22 a of the timing display area 22 displays theon-air tally according to external signals when on air. The mode button22 b is operated when changing the editing mode of the picture mode andtime-line mode. The back-up button 22 c is operated when using the VTR(VTR 301 in FIG. 18) as the back-up for the HDD (HDD 300 in FIG. 18).The dubbing button 22 d is operated when dubbing from the HDD to the VTRin the hybrid recorder 3, or the reverse. The pre-roll button 22 e isoperated when setting the pre-roll mode. The delay button 22 f isoperated when delaying the picture being currently recorded anddisplayed on the replay video screen 23 a of the replay video displayarea 23. The DMC (Dynamic Motion Controller) button 22 g is operatedwhen displaying the replay speed setting area 25A (described later withreference to FIG. 19).and setting the replay speed. The option button 22h is operated when displaying the various option menus. The set button22 i is operated when putting the selected program, event or time-linein a replay stand-by state (on-air mode).

The time display portion 22 j displays the current time. The recordedvideo signal time code display portion 22 k displays the time code ofthe video signals being displayed in the recorded video display area 21.This time code is a time code which the processor controller 11 a of thefirst video processor 11 has extracted from the vertical synchronousperiod of the composite video signals V2. The recorded video signaltime-code display portion 22 m displays the time code of the videosignals being displayed on the replay video display area 23. This timecode is a time code which the processor controller 12 a of the secondvideo processor 12 has extracted from the vertical synchronous period ofthe composite video signals V3.

The storage capacity remaining-time display portion 22 n displays theremaining time for the storage capacity of the hard disk of the hybridrecorder 3. The remaining time displayed here can be easily calculated,since the total capacity of the hybrid recorder 3 is known beforehand,so all that is necessary is to subtract from the maximum recording timeof the hybrid recorder 3 the value obtained by subtracting thestart-recording time from the current time.

Incidentally, the display of these display portions 22 j through 22 nchange according to the settings made from the menu.

The display portion 220 displays the editing mode (full-edit mode (FULL)or loop recording mode (LOOP) of the picture effects device 6, and theobject of recording of the hybrid recorder 3 (i.e., either or both ofthe VTR 301 and hard disk 300 shown in FIG. 18) is displayed on thedisplay portion 22 p. The display portion 22 q displays the operatingstate of the VTR.

Further, the display portion 22 r is displayed when the dubbing speedfrom the VTR to the hard disk is high-speed, the display portion 22 sdisplays whether or not the picture effects device 6 is connected to thecomputer 2, and the display portion 22 t displays whether or not theplurality of hybrid recorders 3 a through 3 d are operatingsynchronously (i.e., whether or not the later-described sync-play button904 shown in FIG. 67 is turned on or not).

The on-air display portion 22 a is a display portion for indicatingwhether the state is on-air or not, and once tally signals indicating anon-air state are supplied externally, the display color of the on-airdisplay portion 22 a turns red. The tally signals indicating the on-airstate are composite video signals V6 output from the picture effectsdevice 6 when in the on-air state. Thus, the on-air display portion 22 acan be made to change display colors according to the on-air state, sothe operator can easily visually grasp the fact that the state is thatof on-air.

The mode button 22 b is a button used for switching between the picturemode shown in FIG. 5 and a later-described time-line mode (FIG. 6).Switching of the mode can be commanded by clicking the mode button 22 bwith the mouse 2 d, thus switching the display mode between the picturemode and time-line mode.

The pre-roll button 22 e is a button used for setting the pre-roll mode.Also, the DMC (Dynamic Motion Controller) button 22 g is a button usedforsetting the replay speed of the selected event. These two buttonswill be described in detail later.

The replay video display area 23 has a replay video screen 23 a, mainbutton 23 b, and a sub-button 23 c. The video signals displayed on thereplay video screen 23 a are video signals obtained from the compositevideo signals V6 replayed by the hybrid recorder 3 and output from thepicture effects device 6, which have been pruned at the point of beingsupplied from the frame memory 12 c to the VRAM 13 b so that the imagesize thereof is changed to 380 pixels by 240 pixels.

In the event that the main button 23 b is turned on, the output of themain-channel hybrid recorder 3 a is displayed on the replay video screen23 a. In the event that the sub-button 23 c is turned on, the output ofthe sub-channel hybrid recorder 3 b is displayed on the replay videoscreen 23 a.

The recorded video marking area 24 is an area used for marking IN pointor OUT point clip image data from the video displayed on the recordedvideo screen 21 a. The term “marking” here refers to the act ofspecifying an IN point or OUT point, or setting an IN point or OUTpoint. Also, the term “clip image” here is synonymous with the term“still image”. This recorded video marking area 24 is divided into an INclip display area 24 a, IN point time-code display area 24 b, mark-INbutton 24 c, an OUT clip display area 24 d, OUT point time-code displayarea 24 e, and mark-OUT button 24 f.

The IN clip display area 24 a is an area for displaying the clip imagemarked as an IN point by the operator clicking on the mark-IN button 24c. The clip image data displayed on the IN clip display area 24 a arevideo signals obtained from the composite video signals V2 output fromthe picture effects device 6, which have been pruned so that the imagesize thereof is changed to 95 pixels by 60 pixels.

The time code of the clip image data that is being displayed on the INclip display area 24 a is displayed on the time-code display area 24 b.This time code is the time code that the processor controller 11 a ofthe first video processor 11 has extracted from the composite videosignals V2 at the point of the operator marking the IN-point by clickingon the mark-IN button 24 c.

The mark-IN button 24 c is a button for marking an IN-point. Theoperator watches the video image displayed on the recorded video image21 a and clicks on the mark-IN button 24 c at the timing at which thedesired image is displayed. Once the mark-IN button 24 c is displayed,clip Image data (95 pixels by 60 pixels) corresponding to the video datadisplayed on the recorded video screen 21 a is generated, and thegenerated clip image data is displayed in the IN-clip display area 24 a.

The OUT clip display area 24 d is an area for displaying the clip imagemarked as an OUT point by the operator clicking on the mark-OUT button24 f. The clip image data displayed on the OUT clip display area 24 dare video signals obtained from the composite video signals V2 outputfrom the picture effects device 6, which have been pruned so that theimage size thereof is changed to 95 pixels by 60 pixels.

The time code of the clip image data that is being displayed on the OUTclip display area 24 d is displayed on the time-code display area 24 e.This time code is the time code that the processor controller 11 a ofthe first video processor 11 has extracted from the composite videosignals V2 at the point of the operator marking the OUT-point byclicking on the mark-OUT button 24 f.

The mark-OUT button 24 f is a button for marking an OUT-point. Theoperator watches the video image displayed on the recorded video image21 a and clicks on the mark-OUT button 24 f at the timing at which thedesired image is displayed. Once the mark-OUT button 24 f is displayed,clip image data (95 pixels by 60 pixels) corresponding to the video datadisplayed on the recorded video screen 21 a is generated, and thegenerated clip image data is displayed in the OUT-clip display area 24d.

The picture effects set-up area 25 is an area which has setting toolbuttons used for performing settings for various types of pictureeffects by inserting clip image data of the effect in a program, in theevent that a replay program has been created following cut-editing bymeans of dragging and dropping event clip image data from the eventdisplay area 29 to the program display area 30 in the order of theprogram to be replayed. This picture effects set-up area 25 will bedescribed in detail later.

The recycle box 26 i is an area used for deleting the generated imagedata. In the event of deleting generated image data, the clip image datais specified using the mouse 2 d, and then the specified clip image datais dragged and dropped on the recycle box 26 i area, thereby executingthe deletion. In the event of resurrecting the deleted clip image data,clicking on the recycle box 26 i displays all of the clip image datadiscarded therein. Clicking on the clip image data therein which theoperator wants to resurrect brings back the specified clip image data.Selecting the force-discard processing from the items displayed byclicking deletes the image data located in the recycle box 26 i frommemory, and that image data cannot be resurrected any more.

The replay video marking area 27 is an area to be used for markingIN-point or OUT-point clip image data from the video image displayed onthe replay video screen 23 a. This replay video marking area 27 isdivided into an IN clip display area 27 a, IN-point time-code displayunit 27 b, mark-IN button 27 c, OUT clip display area 27 d, OUT-pointtime-code display unit 27 e, mark-OUT button 27 f, and cancel buttons 27g and 27 h.

The IN clip display area 27 a is an area for displaying the clip imagemarked as an IN point by the operator clicking on the mark-IN button 27c. The clip image data displayed on the IN clip display area 27 a arevideo signals obtained from the composite video signals V6 output fromthe picture effects device 6, which have been pruned so that the imagesize thereof is changed to 95 pixels by 60 pixels.

The time code of the clip image data that is being displayed on the INclip display area 27 a is displayed on the time-code display area 27 b.This time code is the time code that the processor controller 12 a ofthe second video processor 12 has extracted from the composite videosignals V6 at the point of the operator marking the IN-point by clickingon the mark-IN button 27 c.

The mark-IN button 27 c is a button for marking an IN-point. Theoperator watches the video image displayed on the replay video image 23a and clicks on the mark-IN button 27 c at the timing at which thedesired image is displayed. Once the mark-IN button 27 c is displayed,clip image data (95 pixels by 60 pixels) corresponding to the video datadisplayed on the recorded video screen 21 a is generated, and thegenerated clip image data is displayed in the IN-clip display area 27 a.

The OUT clip display area 27 d is an area for displaying the clip imagemarked as an OUT point by the operator clicking on the mark-OUT button27 f. The clip image data displayed on the OUT clip display area 27 dare video signals obtained from the composite video signals V2 outputfrom the picture effects device 6, which have been pruned so that theimage size thereof is changed to 95 pixels by 60 pixels.

The time code of the clip image data that is being displayed on the OUTclip display area 27 d is displayed on the time-code display area 27 e.This time code is the time code that the processor controller 12 a ofthe second video processor 12 has extracted from the composite videosignals V6 at the point of the operator marking the OUT-point byclicking on the mark-OUT button 27 f.

The mark-OUT button 27 f is a button for marking an OUT-point. Theoperator watches the video image displayed on the replay video image 23a and clicks on the mark-OUT button 27 f at the timing at which thedesired image is displayed. Once the mark-OUT button 27 f is displayed,clip image data (95 pixels by 60 pixels) corresponding to the video datadisplayed on the recorded video screen 21 a is generated, and thegenerated clip image data is displayed in the OUT-clip display area 27d.

Clicking the cancel button 27 g cancels the IN-point corresponding withthe clip image displayed on the IN clip display area 27 a. Clicking thecancel button 27 h cancels the OUT-point corresponding with the clipimage displayed on the OUT clip display area 27 d.

The name of a work file is displayed on the display portion 26 a, andthe name of the program file being displayed on the program displayportion 30 is displayed on the display portion 26 b when in the picturemode, while the name of the time-line file is displayed on the displayportion 26 b when in the time-line mode.

The variable-speed replay memory buttons 26 c, 26 e, and 26 g areoperated when setting the variable-speed replay speed, or when readingthe set variable-speed replay speed. The display portions 26 d, 26 f,and 26 h display the variable-speed replay speed set by the respectivevariable-speed replay memory buttons 26 c, 26 e, and 26 g, to the leftthereof. The display portion 26 j displays the words, e.g., “VOICEOVER”, in the event that the voice over editing mode is set, forexample. The scratch-pad 26 k is operated for setting the IN point orOUT point by inputting the time-code using the later-described set INbutton 37, set OUT button 38, and set duration button 39.

The clip display area 28 is an area for displaying clip image datamarked by successively clicking the mark IN button 24 c or mark OUTbutton 24 f provided to the recorded video marking area 24 (e.g.,clicking on an IN-point two times in a row, or clicking on an OUT-pointtwo times in a row), or displaying clip image data marked bysuccessively clicking the mark IN button 27 c or mark OUT button 27 fprovided to the replay video marking area 27 (e.g., clicking on anIN-point two times in a row, or clicking on an OUT-point two times in arow). The clip image data displayed on this clip display area 28 is clipimage data not being used as an IN-point or OUT-point for an event. Inthe case that an IN-point and OUT-point are specified as a pair, theimages in between comprise an event, and the clip image data specifiedas the IN-point or OUT-point of that section (event) is displayed on theevent display area 29. The clip display area 28 has a clip image datadisplay area 28 a, time code display portion 28 b, clip type displayportion 28 c, clip No. display portion 28 d, clip title display portion28 g, a forward button 28 e, and a back button 28 f.

An image displayed on the IN clip display area 24 a or the OUT clipdisplay area 24 d at the recording side, or the IN clip display area 27a or the OUT clip display area 27 d at the replay side, is moved to anddisplayed on the clip image data display area 28 a. The size thereof is95 pixels by 60 pixels.

The time code of the clip image data displayed on the clip image datadisplay area 28 a is displayed on the time code display portion 28 b.This time code consists of the contents of the time code displayportions 24 b, 24 e, 27 b, or 27 e which correspond to the IN clipdisplay area 24 a, OUT clip display area 24 d, IN clip display area 27a, or the OUT clip display area 27 d, and are moved to be displayed onthe time code display portion 28 b in the same way that the contents ofthe areas 24 a, 24 d, 27 a, or 27 d are moved to be displayed on theclip image data display area 28 a.

The clip type display portion 28 c displays characters indicating whichtype of clip image data the clip image data displayed on the clip imagedata display area 28 a is, i.e., IN-point or OUT-point. For example, inthe event that the clip image data displayed on the clip image datadisplay area 28 a is clip image data obtained from the IN clip displayarea 24 a, the letters “IN” are displayed in red. In the event that theclip image data displayed on the clip image data display area 28 a isclip image data obtained from the OUT clip display area 24 d, theletters “OUT” are displayed in red. On the other hand, in the event thatthe clip image data displayed on the clip image data display area 28 ais clip image data obtained from the IN clip display area 27 a, theletters “IN” are displayed in green. Further, in the event that the clipimage data displayed on the clip image data display area 28 a is clipimage data obtained from the OUT clip display area 27 d, the letters“OUT” are displayed in green.

The clip No. display portion 28 d displays the clip No. of the clipimage data displayed on the clip image data display area 28 a. This clipNo. is a number automatically appropriated to the clip image data in theorder or marking. The title of the clipped data is displayed in the cliptitle display portion 28 g.

The forward button 28 e and back button 28 f are buttons used for thesending the display of the clip image data on the clip display area 28forward (to the right in FIG. 5) or backwards (to the left in FIG. 5).In the event that a great number of pieces of clip image data aregenerated, not all of the pieces of clip image data can be displayedsimultaneously, since the size of the clip display area 28 is limited.In such a case, the user can display all of the pieces of clip imagedata on the monitor by clicking on the forward button 28 e or backbutton 28 f to send the clip image data forwards or backwards.

The event display area 29 is an area for displaying clip image data ofan event generated by clicking the mark IN button 24 c and the mark OUTbutton 24 f provided to the recorded video marking area 24 in order orin reverse order (so as to form a pair), and for displaying clip imagedata of an event generated by clicking the mark IN button 27 c and themark OUT button 27 f provided to the replay video marking area 27 inorder or in reverse order (so as to form a pair). Either the clip imagedata for the IN point or the clip image data for the OUT point isdisplayed for an event. The event display area 29 has a clip image datadisplay area 29 a, time code display portion 29 b, clip type displayportion 29 c, event No. display portion 29 d, event title displayportion 29 g, a forward button 29 e, and a back button 29 f, in the samemanner as the clip display area 28.

The event type display portion 29 c displays characters indicating whichtype of clip. image data the clip image data displayed on the clip imagedata display area 29 a is, i.e., IN-point or OUT-point. For example, inthe event that the clip image data displayed is IN-point clip imagedata, the letters “IN” are displayed. In the event that the operatordesired to display OUT-point clip image data instead of INpoint clipimage data, clicking on this event type display portion 29 c brings upthe OUT-point clip image data. Then, each time the event type displayportion 29 c is clicked, the IN-point clip image data and the OUT-pointclip image data are alternately displayed.

The event No. display portion 29 d displays the event No. of the eventgenerated. This event No. is a number automatically appropriated in theorder of generating, and is completely unrelated to the clip No. Thetitle of the event is displayed in the event title display portion 29 gin character letters. This title can be registered by a menu, and eachevent can be registered separately.

The program display area 30 is an area used for copying events displayedin the event display area 29 and creating programs, and displays a copyof the clip image data of the event displayed in the event display area29. In the case of re-arranging the order of events to create a program,first, the operator drags and drops a desired one of the pieces of clipimage data displayed in the event display area 29 and copies is to theprogram display area 30. This allows for the operator to freelyre-arrange the order of events displayed in the event display area 29and to create a program. At this time, the events can be further freelyre-arranged within the program display area 30, by dragging and droppingone of the pieces of clip image data displayed in the program displayarea 30 to another location within the program display area 30 again. Inthis case, the event is moved, not copied.

The program display area 30 has a clip image data display area 30 a,time code display portion 30 b, clip type display portion 30 c, eventNo. display portion 30 d, event title display portion 30 g, a forwardbutton 30 e, and a back button 30 f, in the same manner as the eventdisplay area 29. These are basically the same as those in the eventdisplay area 29; accordingly, description thereof will be omitted here.

However, there is a case in which effects clip image data is displayedwithin the program display area 30. In this case, shapes or charactersrepresenting the effects are displayed in the effects image data displayarea 30A, and the effect No. is displayed at the effects No. displayportion 30D. Titles of the effects, such as PinP, Wipe, etc. aredisplayed in the effects title display portion 30G to the left side ofthe effects No. display portion 30D.

The time code of the position for inserting the effects is displayed inthe time code display portion 30B to the lower right of the effectsimage data display area 30A.

The recording start/stop button 31 a is a button for sending controlcommands to the hybrid recorder 3 and the picture effects device 6 forstarting recording (in the event that recording is stopped) or endingrecording (in the event that recording has started). Clicking on therecording start/stop button 31 a when the recording operation is stoppedcauses the CPU 10 to detect that the recording start/stop button 31 ahas been pressed, and the CPU 10 issues a command to the externalinterface 18 to output a recording start command. The external interface18 receives this command, and sends a recording start command (REC STARTcommand) stipulated by RS-422 to the hybrid recorder 3. The hybridrecorder 3 starts recording of the video signals V1 to hard disk andVTR, according to the received recording start command.

Conversely, clicking on the recording start/stop button 31 a when therecording operation is running causes the CPU 10 to detect that therecording start/stop button 31 a has been pressed, and the CPU 10 issuesa command to the external interface 18 to output a recording stopcommand. The external interface 18 receives this command, and sends arecording stop command (REC STOP command) stipulated by RS-422 to thehybrid recorder 3. The hybrid recorder 3 stops recording of the videosignals V1 to hard disk and VTR, according to the received recordingstop command.

The preview button 32 is a button used for previewing (i.e., checkingthe contents) or selected events or programs. Specifying the event orprogram displays clip image data of the specified event or program onthe replay video screen 23 a as a still image. Clicking the previewbutton 32 in this state causes the CPU 10 to detect that the previewbutton 32 has been pressed, and the CPU 10 issues a command to theexternal interface 18 to output a replay start command. The externalinterface 18 receives this command, and sends a replay start command(PLAY START command) stipulated by RS-422 to the hybrid recorder 3 andthe image effects device 6. The hybrid recorder 3 starts playing of thecomposite video signals V3 from the hard disk (or VTR), according to thereceived replay start command. The image effects device 6 generatescomposite video signals V6 by providing the composite video signals V3with effects according to the command.

The new event button 33 is a button used for creating a new event. Thisnew event button 33 is clicked in the. event of registering an eventspecified by the operator that has had the IN-point and OUT-pointthereof changed, as a new event. The protect button 34 is operated forloop recording, to prevent data from being overwritten. The replacebutton 35 is used in the event of changing the IN-point and OUT-point ofthe selected event. The replace button 35 is clicked in the case thatthe event with the IN-point and OUT-point thereof changed is not to beregistered as a new event, but to replace the specified event. Thedelete button is used to delete selected events or programs. The deletedevents and programs are discarded into the recycle bin 26 i.

The set-IN button 37 is operated in the event of setting the IN-pointwith numerical values, and the set-OUT button 38 is operated in theevent of setting the OUT-point with numerical values. The set durationbutton is operated in the case of specifying the period from theIN-point with a numerical value so as to specify an OUT-point, or in thecase of specifying the period from the OUT-point with a numerical valueso as to specify an IN-point.

The VTR control button 31 b is operated in the event of bringing up apop-up display of the VTR control panel for controlling the VTR. Thehard disk controller button 31 c is operated in the event of bringing upa pop-up display of the hard disk control panel for controlling the harddisk. The dubbing button 31 c is operated in the event of bringing up apop-up display for the tape/disk dubbing settings control panel forperforming dubbing between the VTR and hard disk.

<Time-line Mode>

Next, this section will describe the time-line mode. With the time-linemode, a graphic display such as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on themonitor 2 b. As shown in FIG. 6, the clip display area 28 and eventdisplay area 29 shown in FIG. 5 are replaced with a time-line displayarea 40. The event display area 29 is displayed in the position of theprogram display area in FIG. 5. Other displays are the same as thepicture mode shown in FIG. 5.

The time-line display area 40 is a display area which allows theoperator to edit a program while checking the time-wise length of eachevent. As shown in FIG. 7 in a partial enlargement, the time-linedisplay area 40 has a time-scale display portion 40 a, GPI/DSK track 40b, effects track 40 c, video track 40 d, first through fourth audiotracks 40 e through 40 h, scroll buttons 40 i and 40 j, a search button40 m, frame button 40 n, and an edit bar 40 k.

A time scale is displayed in the time-scale display portion 40 a, so asto clearly indicate the time-size length of each event with the timescale serving as a standard reference. This time scale is a scale inincrements of frames, and the minimal increment can be set by the userto an arbitrary number of frames.

The GPI/DSK track 40 b is an area for specifying the output point ofcontrol commands for the GPI (General-Purpose Interface: a common-useinterface for outputting control commands for an editing device tocontrol an external device) or DSK. The output point for the GPI or DSKcan be set at an arbitrary position, regardless of IN points or OUTpoints. The GPI can be set using the GPI setting buttons 46 dn and 46 dp(to be described later). A mark 40 ba is displayed at the output pointof the GPI or DSK, so the operator can easily recognize the positionthat he/she specified. Thus, specifying the output point of the GPI orDSK on the GPI/DSK track 40 b allows control commands to be output atthe specified point, thereby controlling external devices. Incidentally,clicking the GPI/DSK button 40 bc makes the GPI or DSK output pointsspecified on the GPI/DSK track 40 b valid.

A mark 40 ca is displayed at a position on the effects track 40 c towhich an effect has been set. Thus, the operator can easily recognizethe position that he/she specified for effects. Clicking the GPI/DSKbutton 40 bc makes the GPI or DSK output points specified on the GPI/DSKtrack 40 b valid. Clicking the effects button 40 cb makes the effectsspecified on the effects track 40 c valid.

The video track 40 d is an area for editing the program by re-arrangingevents dragged from the event display area 29 and so forth. The eventsdisplayed on this video track 40 d are events dragged from the eventdisplay area 29, or events arrayed on the program display area 30 in thepicture mode, having been called by the program call button 42 b (FIG.6) of the program view area 42, to be described later.

Also, with the video track 40 d, clip image data from the IN-points andOUT-points is not displayed as with the picture mode; rather, the eventNo. and the title given to that event are displayed. However, the sizeof the display area of each event differs depending on the lengththereof, so the length of the event can be compared with the time scaleof the time scale display portion 40 a and thus visually confirmed.Also, the fact that the length of each event can be visually confirmedmeans that the overall length of the edited program can be visuallyconfirmed as well. Accordingly, the operator can easily tell whether theedited program fits within a certain length.

Also, in the video track 40 d, the events can be moved to arbitrarypositions, and arbitrary events can be inserted into other events, sothe events can be arbitrarily re-arranged to produce the desiredprogram. Incidentally, in the event that events are moved or inserted,the connecting portions thereof are joined so there are no gaps inbetween.

The destination of movement or insertion is specified by the edit bar 40k which is the reference position mark. This edit bar 40 k is fixedlydisplayed generally at the center position of the screen, so in theevent that the destination of movement or insertion is to be specified,the event display is scrolled by operating the scrolling buttons 40 iand 40 j so that the edit bar 40 k lines up with a candidate for movingor insertion. The destination of movement or insertion is thusspecified.

Incidentally, in the event of performing operation on the video track 40d, clicking the video button 40 db places the video track 40 d in anoperable state.

The first through fourth audio tracks 40 e through 40 h are areas forediting the audio data for the events. In the case of reading audio datainto the first through fourth audio tracks 40 e through 40 h, the audiobuttons 40 ea through 40 ha are clicked, and events are dragged from theevent display area 29, thereby reading audio data corresponding to thatdata. Incidentally, an event No. and the title given to that event aredisplayed for the read audio data.

Regarding the first through fourth audio tracks 40 e through 40 h, theaudio data for each event can be arbitrarily moved as with the videotrack 40 d, and arbitrary audio data can be inserted into audio data ofanother event. In the event that a candidate position for destination ofmovement or insertion is to be specified, the audio data is scrolled byoperating the scrolling buttons 40 i and 40 j as with the case of thevideo editing, so that the edit bar 40 k lines up with a candidate formoving or insertion.

Incidentally, a total of four channels of audio data can be edited bymeans of the first through fourth audio tracks 40 e through 40 h.

The scrolling buttons 40 i and 40 j are buttons for scrolling thesection between the GPI/DSK track 40 b to the fourth audio track 40 h inits entirety to the right or the left in increments of scrolls. Clickingon of the scrolling buttons 40 i and 40 j in the direction to which theoperator wants to go executes scrolling in that direction.

The search button 40 m is for displaying and confirming on the replayvideo screen 23 a an image within an event selected on the time linedisplay area 40 or an image at the connection portion between events.The scroll increment display portion 40 n displays the increments usedwhen clicking on the scrolling buttons 40 i and 40 j and scrolling. Theoperator can clock on this display portion 40 n and change the displayto any of the following: Frame, Second, Minute, Event, or Top/End. Inthe event that Top/End is selected, the event is scrolled to the verytop or end whenever the scrolling buttons 40 i or 40 j are clicked.

As shown in FIG. 6, a display portion 45 a displaying the overall lengthof the time-line (i.e., the number of frames) is displayed to the rightside of the time-line display area 40, and a preview button 45 b whichis operated when commanding a preview is provided below. Further belowthat is four channels worth of buttons 45 c for specifying voice-over.

The edit tool display portion 46 d displayed below the time-line displayarea 40 has command buttons for giving commands used for program editingin the time-line display area 40. The event lock button 46 da is usedfor simultaneously moving a plurality of tracks for a single event; thebuttons for the tracks are first clicked, and then the event lock button46 da is clicked. Thus, the selected tracks are linked and can bedragged together. The event moving button 46 db is clicked in the caseof batch moving of the section of events from the event currentlyselected through the end event. The match-cut button 46 dc is clicked inthe event of splitting events at the position of the edit bar 40 k. Thisbutton is used for purposes such as deleting part of an event. The undobutton 46 dd is operated when canceling operations such as movingediting, deleting, etc.

In the case of clicking the overlay editing button 46 de, dragging anevent from the event display area 29 onto the time-line display area 40matches the IN-point thereof to the position of the edit bar 40 k andinserts the event on the time line. In the case that an event is draggedfrom the event display area 29 onto the time-line display area 40 afterclicking the back-time overlay editing button, the OUT-point of theevent is matched to the position of the edit bar 40 k and the event isinserted on the time line. In the case that an event is dragged from theevent display area 29 onto the time-line display area 40 after clickingthe insert editing button, the IN-point of the event is matched to theposition of the edit bar 40 k and the event is inserted on the timeline.

In the event that the overlay editing button 46 de is operated, andthere is already an event at the insertion position on the time line,the event is overwritten, but in the event that this insert editingbutton 46 dg is operated, and there is already an event at the insertionposition on the time line, the event is split to the right and left withthe new event at the center. Clicking the delete button 46 dh afterselecting an event on the time-line allows deletion of the selectedevent. In the event that the event to be deleted is locked, the multiplelocked events are batch-deleted.

The ripple tool button 46 di is clicked in the event that the operatordesires to slide all events following an insertion position or deletionposition after an event has been inserted to or deleted from thetime-line. The trim tool button 46 dj is clicked to change the durationof the entire program in the event that the IN or OUT points of an eventhave been corrected, in accordance with the amount of correction. In theevent that the IN-point has been corrected, the OUT-point remains fixed,and the event to the left of the IN-point is moved in the direction ofcorrection. In the same way, in the event that the OUT-point has beencorrected, the IN-point remains fixed, and the event to the left of theOUT-point is moved in the direction of correction.

The slide tool button 46 dk is clicked in the event of changing theIN-point or OUT-point of the time-line and sliding the IN-points of thesubsequent events by the same amount. In the event that the IN-point ofa selected event is changed and the duration of the event is shortenedas a result thereof, The IN-point of the following event slides so thatthe duration of the following event is extended. The slip tool button 46dm is clicked in the event of correcting the IN-point and OUT-pointwithout changing the duration of the event. In the event that one of theIN-point and OUT-point is corrected, the other moves in the samedirection, thereby maintaining the duration of the event at a constant.

The GPI buttons 46 dn and 46 dp are operated in the case of setting twotypes (systems) of GPI output points set from the menu.

The display portion 46 e displays the number of frames comprising onenotch on the time-scale displayed on the time-scale display portion 40a. This display can be increased or decreased by clocking the + (plus)button 46 fb or the − (minus) button 46 fa.

The point preview button 46 ga is clicked in the event that the operatorwishes to view the connection between an event selected on the time-linedisplay area 40 and the event before it. The loop button 46 gb isclicked in the event that the user desires to repeatedly preview thetime-line program.

Next, description will be made regarding the program view area displayedtoward the bottom of the time-line display area 40. In the time-linedisplay area 40, the length of the display area of the events is changedbasically according to the length of each event, so that the operatorcan easily visually understand the length of each event. However, clipimage data for the events is not displayed, so there is the likelihoodthat the operator may not be able to tell what sort of image each eventis. Accordingly, in the case of the editing system 1, a program viewarea 42 is provided, so that the operator can tell what sort of imageeach event is, even in the time-line mode.

The program view area 42 has a view area 42 a, program call button 42 b,forward button 42 c, and back button 42 d. The view area 42 a is an areafor displaying the clip image data for the IN-point or OUT-point of eachevent. The order that the clip image data is displayed in this view area42 a agrees with the order of the events in the program created in thetime-line display area 40. Thus, the order of events in the programcreated in the time-line display area 40 can be easily confirmed withclip image data, allowing the operator to tell what sort of images arelined up for the program. Incidentally, the clip image data displayed inthe view area 42 a is image data generated by pruning the clip imagedata in the event display area 29, and the image size thereof isapproximately half the size of the clip image data displayed in theevent display area 29.

The program call button 42 b is a button used for making input of aprogram call command for calling an event displayed on the display area30 in the picture mode to the time-line display area 40 and the viewarea 42 a. Clicking on the program call button 42 b commands the programto be called, and the event displayed in the program display area 30 canbe called to the time-line display area 40 without changing the order ofevents. In the same manner, the clip image data is called to the viewarea 42 a with the same order of events as shown in the program displayarea 30, and displayed. By means of providing such a program call button42 b and enabling calling of programs, programs generated in anothermode (picture mode) can be easily called into the time-line mode, andtime-matching editing can be easily carried out even for programsgenerated in another mode.

The forward button 42 c and back button 42 d are buttons used for thesending the display of the clip image data in the view area 42 a forwardor backwards. In the event that the created program has a great numberof pieces of clip image data, not all of the pieces of clip image datacan be displayed in the view area 42 a simultaneously. In such a case,the user can display all of the pieces of clip image data by clicking onthe forward button 42 c or back button 42 d to send the clip image dataforwards or backwards.

<Management Method for Clip Image Data>

Next, description will be made regarding the storage method for the clipdata, event data, and program data. It should be noted here, though,that the term “clip data” as used here includes data for displaying clipimage data in the clip display area 28 and data for storing the clipimage data. This holds true for the event data and program data, aswell.

First, with reference to FIG. 8, description will be made regarding thefirst management record data for clip data, event data, program data,effect data and DSK data. One set of first management record data isprepared separately each for clip data, event data, program data, effectdata, and DSK data. In other words, the first management record data forclip data is data for managing all clip image data displayed within theclip display area 28. Also, the first management record data for eventdata is data for managing all clip image data displayed within the eventdisplay area 29. Further, the first management record data for programdata is data for managing all clip image data displayed within theprogram display area 30. The first management record data for effectsdata or DSK data is data for managing all clip image data displayedwithin the program display area 30. In the present embodiment, the firstmanagement record data consists of one each of first management recorddata for clip data, event data, program data, effect data or DSK data.

The first management record data has data regarding pointers linkedbefore, pointers linked behind, the horizontal display size for onepage, the vertical display size for one page, the display position onthe screen, leading display position, and total number of links.

The term “pointers linked before” means data for indicating a pointer ofmanagement record data linked to before this first management recorddata. In the event that there is no management record data linked tobefore, the pointer of this management record data is stored here. Theterm “pointers linked behind” means data for indicating a pointer ofmanagement record data linked to behind this first management recorddata. In the event that there is no management record data linked tobehind, the pointer of this management record data is stored here.

The term “horizontal display size for one page” means data indicatingthe maximum number of pieces of clip image data displayed in thehorizontal direction on each of the following display areas: the clipdisplay area 28, event display area 29, and program display area 30. Inthe present embodiment, the clip display area 28, event display area 29,and program display area 30 can each display ten pieces of clip imagedata, so data indicating “ten pieces” as the “horizontal display sizefor one page” is stored in the first management record data for each.

The term “vertical display size for one page” means data indicating themaximum number of pieces of clip image data displayed in the verticaldirection on each of the following display areas: the clip display area28, event display area 29, and program display area 30. In the presentembodiment, the clip display area 28, event display area 29, and programdisplay area 30 can each only display one piece of clip image data, sodata indicating “one piece” as the “vertical display size for one page”is stored in the first management record data for each.

The “display position on the screen” is data indicating at which displayarea the clip image data is displayed. In the present embodiment, thefollowing are provided: the clip display area 28 at the bottom tier ofthe screen, the event display area 29 at the middle tier of the screen,and the program display area 30 at the top tier of the screen.Accordingly, data indicating “bottom tier” is stored for the firstmanagement record data for clip data, data indicating “middle tier” isstored for the first management record data for event data, and dataindicating “top tier” is stored for the first management record data forprogram data.

The term “leading display position” means data for indicating from whatposition in the areas of the clip display area 28, event display area29, and program display area 30, that display of the clip image data isto be started. In the present embodiment, ten pieces of clip image dataare displayed in the clip display area 28, ten pieces in the eventdisplay area 29, and ten pieces in the program display area 30, so atotal of thirty pieces of clip image data can be displayed. Thissequentially appropriates Nos. to all thirty display positions from thetop tier on the screen on down, thereby managing the display positions.

For example, the display positions of the program display area 30 are“1” through “10”, the display positions of the event display area 29 are“11” through “20, and the display positions of the clip display area 28are “21” through “30”. Accordingly, in the event that the data is firstmanagement record data for clip data, data indicating “21” is stored asthe leading display position, in the event that the data is firstmanagement record data for event data, data indicating “11” is stored asthe leading display position, and in the event that the data is firstmanagement record data for program data, data indicating “1” is storedas the leading display position.

The total number of links is data indicating the total number of piecesof management record data linked to behind the first management recorddata.

Next, with reference to FIG. 9, description will be made regarding thesecond management record data for clip data. This second managementrecord data for clip data is data for managing each piece of clip imagedata displayed in the clip display area 28 individually. Accordingly,there are as many pieces of second management record data as there arepieces of clip image data.

The second management record data for clip data has data regardingpointers linked before, pointers linked behind, attributes, clip imagedata handle, time code data, and index Nos. of clip image data.

The term “pointers linked before” means data for indicating a pointer ofmanagement record data linked to before this second management recorddata. There is always a first management record data or secondmanagement record data before, so a pointer linked to before is storedhere in all cases. The term “pointers linked behind” means data forindicating a pointer of management record data linked to behind thissecond management record data. In the event that there is no managementrecord data linked to behind, the pointer of this management record datais stored here.

“Attributes” consists of data indicating whether the second managementrecord data is for clip data, event data, or program data. The “clipimage data handle” is data indicating an address at which the clip imagedata is stored (an address on the hard disk of the hybrid recorder 3).Accordingly, the address at which the clip image data is stored can beobtained by making reference to the clip image data handle within thesecond management record data corresponding to the desired clip imagedata. “Clip type” is data indicating whether the clip image data beingmanaged by the second management record data is IN-point clip image dataor OUT-point clip image data.

“Time code data” is data indicating the time code of the clip image databeing managed by the second management record data. The term “index Nos.of clip image data” means index Nos. appropriated to the clip imagedata. The index Nos. are numbers sequentially appropriated to all piecesof marked clip image data, regardless of IN-point, OUT-point, or eventgeneration. That is, the index No. is the same number as the clip No.displayed in the clip No. display portion 28 d. All pieces of clip imagedata are managed by this index No.

Next, with reference to FIG. 10, description will be made regarding thesecond management record data for event data and program data. Thesecond management record data for event data is data for managing eachpiece of clip image data displayed in the event display area 29individually. Accordingly, there are as many pieces of second managementrecord data for event data as there are pieces of clip image datadisplayed in the event display area 29. In the same way, the secondmanagement record data for program data is data for managing each pieceof clip image data displayed in the program display area 30individually. Accordingly, there are as many pieces of second managementrecord data for program data as there are pieces of clip image datadisplayed in the program display area 30.

The second management record data for event data and program data hasdata regarding pointers linked before, pointers linked behind,attributes, event No., title, sub-title, IN-point clip image datahandle, IN-point clip type, IN-point time code data, index No. forIN-point clip image data, OUT-point clip image data handle, OUT-pointclip type, OUT-point time code data, index No. for OUT-point clip imagedata, slow type, symbol type, and symbol time code data.

The pointers linked before, pointers linked behind, and attributes arethe same as those described above in conjunction with the secondmanagement record data for clip data, so description here will beomitted. The “event No.” is a number appropriated to events in the orderthat they are generated. This event No. is displayed in the event No.display portion 29 d. The “title” and “sub-title” are a title andsub-title provided to the registered event beforehand, and is stored inactual characters. Of these, the title is displayed in the title displayportion 29 g.

The “IN-point clip image data handle” is data indicating an address atwhich the IN-point clip image data is stored. Accordingly, the addressat which the IN-point clip image data is stored can be obtained bymaking reference to the IN-point clip image data handle within thesecond management record data corresponding to the desired clip imagedata. “IN-point clip type” is data indicating whether the IN-point clipimage data being managed by the second management record data isIN-point clip image data or OUT-point clip image data. Here, all data isIN-point clip image data, so data indicating “IN-point” is stored here.

“IN-point time code data” is data indicating the time code of theIN-point clip image data being managed by the second management recorddata. The term “index No. of IN-point clip image data” means index Nos.appropriated to the IN-point clip image data. As with theabove-described index Nos. within the second management record data forclip data, the IN-point index Nos. are numbers sequentially appropriatedto all pieces of marked clip image data, regardless of IN-point,OUT-point, or event generation.

The “OUT-point clip image data handle” is data indicating an address atwhich the OUT-point clip image data is stored. Accordingly, the addressat which the OUT-point clip image data is stored can be obtained bymaking reference to the OUT-point clip image data handle within thesecond management record data corresponding to the desired clip imagedata. “OUT-point clip type” is data indicating whether the OUT-pointclip image data being managed by the second management record data isIN-point clip image data or OUT-point clip image data. Here, all data isOUT-point clip image data, so data indicating “OUT-point” is storedhere.

“OUT-point time code data” is data indicating the time code of theOUT-point clip image data being managed by the second management recorddata. The term “index No. of OUT-point clip image data” means index Nos.appropriated to the OUT-point clip image data. As with theabove-described index Nos. within the second management record data forclip data, the OUT-point index Nos. are numbers sequentiallyappropriated to all pieces of marked clip image data, regardless ofIN-point, OUT-point, or event generation.

“Slow type” is data indicating whether the replay speed of the event orprogram being managed by the second management record data is beingsubjected to control by the replay speed setting area 25A (laterdescribed with reference to FIG. 19), or whether the replay speed isnormal. “Symbol type” is data indicating whether or not clip image datadefined as a symbol exists in the period between the IN-point andOUT-point of event being managed by the second management record data.The term “symbol” here means clip image data representative of thatevent. The “symbol time code data” is the time code of the clip imagedata set as a symbol.

FIG. 11 represents the configuration of the second management recorddata for effects. The second management record data for effects has dataregarding pointers linked before, pointers linked behind, attributes,effect picture selection data, effect type, effect No., effectdirection, effect time, border specification, border width, backgroundcolor valid flag, background color, X-position coordinates, Y-positioncoordinates, z-position coordinates, auxiliary parameters for effects,fader position, and resetting available flag.

The pointers linked before, pointers linked behind, and attributes arethe same as those described above in conjunction with the secondmanagement record data for event data and program data in FIG. 10, sodescription here will be omitted. The attribute here shows that thesecond management record data is for effects. The first nine bytes ofdata from the head to this position have the same configuration as thesecond management record data for clip data as shown in FIG. 9, and thesecond management record data for event data and program data as shownin FIG. 10. Accordingly, even in the event that a new data structure isintroduced, the management method does not need to be changed, and thesystem can handle the addition.

The “effect picture selection data” represents the address of memorystoring subsequent data. The “effect type” represents the type(category) of effects patterns, such as picture-in-picture or wipe. The“effect No.” is displayed in the effect No. display portion 30D. The“effect direction” indicates whether the direction in which the effectis applied is forward time-wise, or backwards. The “effect time”represents the time (transition) for application of the effects. “Borderspecification” represents specification of whether or not a border isapplied, and “border width” represents the width of the border.

The “background color valid flag” represents whether or not a backgroundcolor has been specified. The “background color” is the specification ofthe background color. The “X-position coordinates”, “Y-positioncoordinates”, and “Z-position coordinates” respectively indicate thepositional coordinates for applying the effects.

The “auxiliary parameters for effects” represents maintaining uniqueparameters when setting the various effect patterns. The “faderposition” represents the fader value (amount of change of effects), andthe “resetting available flag” represents whether or not resetting canbe made in the program line.

FIG. 12 represents the configuration of the second management recorddata for DSK data. This data has pointers linked before, pointers linkedbehind, attributes, effect picture selection data, effect time, faderposition, fader inversion valid flag, border specification, border type,border color, key inversion specification, clip value, gain value, maskspecification, mask inversion specification, rectangular mask area, andsolid flag.

The pointers linked before and pointers linked behind are the same asthose described above. The attribute here shows that the secondmanagement record data is for DSK data. The first nine bytes of datafrom the head have the same configuration as the second managementrecord data shown in FIGS. 9 through 11, so even in the event that a newdata structure is introduced, the management method does not need to bechanged, and the system can handle the addition.

The “effect picture selection data” represents the address of memorystoring subsequent data. The “effect time” represents the DSK transitiontime. The “fader position” represents the fader time (amount of changeof effects). The “fader inversion valid flag” represents whether or notto automatically invert the direction of transition during the next DSKexecution.

“Border specification” represents specification of the border (frame).The “border type” specifies the type of border. The “border color”specifies the color of the border. “Key inversion specification”specifies whether or not to use key data in an inverted manner. The“clip value” specifies the clip value. The “gain value” specifies thegain value. “Mask specification” specifies whether or not there is maskspecification. “Mask inversion specification” specifies whether maskinversion is valid or invalid. The “rectangular mask area” holds thecoordinates for the rectangular mask area, and “solid flag” specifiesselection of the fill signal.

Next, a specific example will be given with reference to FIGS. 13through 17 to describe how clip image data is managed using the firstmanagement record data and second management record data. First, theline titled MARKING in FIG. 13 indicates whether marking has beenperformed as IN marking or OUT marking. Here, this shows that markinghas been performed 12 times, in the order of IN, IN, OUT, IN, IN, IN,OUT, IN, OUT, IN, IN, OUT, from the left. The line titled INDEX NO.shows the index No. given to the clip image data at the IN-point orOUT-point of marking. The index Nos. are numbers sequentiallyappropriated to all pieces of marked clip image data, regardless ofIN-point or OUT-point. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 13, index Nos. “1”through “12” are sequentially appropriated to the marked pieces of clipimage data.

The line titled CLIP NO. shows the clip No. displayed in the clip No.display area 28 d of the clip display area 28. Incidentally, the clipNo. displayed in the clip No. display area 28 d is the same No. as theindex No. The line titled EVENT NO. shows the event No. displayed in theevent No. display area 29 d of the event display area 29. This event No.is a number automatically appropriated in the order of generatingevents, and is completely unrelated to the index No. or clip No.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating which clip image data is displayed inthe clip display area 28, event display area 29, and program displayarea 30, in the event that marking has been performed as shown in FIG.13. The clip display area 28 displays clip image data with the index No.“1”, clip image data with the index No. “4”, clip image data with theindex No. “5”, and clip image data with the index No. “10”, in thatorder.

The event display area 29 displays four created events. That is,IN-point clip image data with the index No. “2” is displayed as theevent with the event No. “1”, IN-point clip image data with the indexNo. “6” is displayed as the event with the event No. “2”, IN-point clipimage data with the index No. “8” is displayed as the event with theevent No. “3”, and IN-point clip image data with the index No. “11” isdisplayed as the event with the event No. “4”, in that order. TheOUT-point clip image data for each event (clip image data with the indexNo. “3”, clip image data with the index No. “7”, clip image data withthe index No. “9”, and clip image data with the index No. “12”) are notdisplayed, since the corresponding IN-point clip image data isdisplayed.

Simply specifying the IN-point and OUT-point does not display the clipimage data on the program display area 30. In this example, the fourevents displayed in the event display area 29 are re-arranged, and aprogram such as described in FIG. 14 is created. The program is acontinuous program in the order or the event with the event No. “2”, theevent with the event No. “1”, and the event with the event No. “3”.Accordingly, the program display area 30 displays the clip image datawith the index No. “6” which has been registered as the event with theevent No. “2”, the clip image data with the index No. “2” which has beenregistered as the event with the event No. “1”, and the clip image datawith the index No. “8” which has been registered as the event with theevent No. “3”.

However, in this case, clip image data for the “wipe” effect has beeninserted between the event with the event No. “2” and the event with theevent No. “1”. Further, clip image data for the “wipe” effect has beeninserted between the event with the event No. “1” and the event with theevent No. “3”, as well. Insertion of the clip image data for the “wipe”effect is performed by dragging and dropping the desired effect from thepicture effects set-up area 25. Details thereof will be described laterwith reference to FIG. 34.

FIGS. 15 through 17 a diagram illustrating how clip image data ismanaged by the first management record data and the second managementrecord data.

FIG. 15 shows how the clip image data displayed in the clip display area28 is managed. The management record data 101 is the first managementrecord data for clip data. As shown in FIG. 8, this first managementrecord data for clip data 101 has data for managing the entire area ofthe clip display area 28 and the positions of the clip image datadisplayed in the clip display area 28.

The second management record data 201 linked behind the first managementrecord data 101 is a second management record data for clip data. Thissecond management record data 201 is data for managing the clip imagedata with the index No. “1”. As shown in FIG. 9, the second managementrecord data 201 has a clip image data handle indicating the address atwhich the clip image data with the index No. “1” is stored.

The management record data 204 linked behind the second managementrecord data 201 is second management record data for clip data. Thissecond management record data 204 is data for managing the clip imagedata with the index No. “4”, and has a clip image data handle indicatingthe address at which the clip image data with the index No. “4” isstored.

Further, second management record data 205 for managing the clip imagedata with the index No. “5” is linked behind the second managementrecord data 204, and second management record data 210 for managing theclip image data with the index No. “10” is linked behind the secondmanagement record data 205.

FIG. 16 shows how the clip image data displayed in the event displayarea 29 is managed. The management record data 102 is first managementrecord data for event data. As shown in FIG. 8, this first managementrecord data for event data 102 has data for managing the entire area ofthe event display area 29 and the positions of the clip image datadisplayed in the event display area 29.

The second management record data 202 linked behind the first managementrecord data 102 is second management record data for event data. Asshown in FIG. 10, this second management record data 202 has data formanaging the IN-point clip image data indicated by the index No. “2” andOUT-point clip image data indicated by the index No. “3”. Specifically,this second management record data 202 has an IN-point clip image datahandle for indicating the address at which the IN-point clip image dataindicated by the index No. “2” is stored, and an OUT-point clip imagedata handle fdr indicating the address at which the OUT-point clip imagedata indicated by the index No. “3” is stored.

In the same manner, linked behind the second management record data 202is second management record data 206 for managing the IN-point clipimage data with the index No. “6” and the OUT-point clip image data withthe index No. “7”, linked behind the second management record data 206is second management record data 208 for managing the IN-point clipimage data with the index No. “8” and the OUT-point clip image data withthe index No. “9”, and linked behind the second management record data208 is second management record data 211 for managing the IN-point clipimage data with the index No. “11” and the OUT-point clip image datawith the index No. “12”.

FIG. 17 shows how the clip image data displayed in the program displayarea 30 is managed. The management record data 103 is first managementrecord data for program data. As. shown in FIG. 8, this first managementrecord data for program data 103 has data for managing the entire areaof the program display area 30 and the positions of the clip image datadisplayed in the event display area 30.

Linked behind the first management record data for program data 103 issecond management record data 206 for managing the event with the No.“2” that is comprised of the IN-point clip image data with the index No.“6” and the OUT-point clip image data with the index No. “7”, and linkedbehind the second management record data 206 is second management recorddata 201E for managing effects with the effects No. “1”. AS shown inFIG. 11, this second management record data 206 has data for managingthe effects data represented by the effects No. “1”. Linked behind thesecond management record data 201E is second management record data 202for managing the event with the No. “1” that is comprised of theIN-point clip image data with the index No. “2” and the OUT-point clipimage data with the index No. “3”, and linked behind the secondmanagement record data 202 is second management record data 202E formanaging effects with the effects No. “2”. Then, linked behind thesecond management record data 202E is second management record data 208for managing the event with the No. “3” that is comprised of theIN-point clip image data with the index No. “8” and the OUT-point clipimage data with the index No. “9”.

Now, let us compare FIG. 16 which illustrates management of the eventdata, and FIG. 17 which illustrates management of the program data. Theorder of the clip image data with the index No. “2”, the clip image datawith the index No. “6”, and the clip image data with the index No. “8”,is exactly the same in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, except for the fact thateffects have been inserted. This means that the storage position of theclip data has not been changed at all. What is different between FIG. 16and FIG. 17 is that the order of linking the sets of second managementrecord data has been changed. In other words, with the editing system 1,when changing the order in which events are displayed, the storagepositions of the clip image data representing the events are notchanged; rather, the order of the links of the second management recorddata directly managing the clip image data is changed. Thus, thisediting system 1 can obtain extraordinary effects in that the displayorder of events can be changed very fast.

Further, this is not limited to changing the display order of events;this holds true regarding display order of clip image data displayed inthe clip display area 28, as well. For example, even in the event thatthe display order of clip image data is changed due to clip image databeing deleted or newly added, the storage positions of the clip imagedata are not actually changed; rather, the link information of thesecond management record data (i.e., the pointer portions point to thedata ahead and behind) is simply altered to change the link order,thereby easily changing the order of display.

This holds true for effects, as well. That is, in the case of thisexample, picture effects data (effects data) is handled in the samemanner as clip image data (accordingly, the picture effects data is alsoreferred to as “effects setting clip image data”). Consequently, changein the order or deletion thereof is processed simply by changing thelink order of the corresponding second management record data. Thus,effects can be processed very fast.

Next, the marking operations for the first marking through the twelfthmarking will be described in detail, with reference to the action ofeach circuit block. First, before starting the marking, the firstmanagement record data 101 for clip data, the first management recorddata 102 for event data, and the first management record data 103 forprogram data have already been generated at the leading address of thearea for storing work data which has been secured in the RAM 10 b. Atthis point however, none of the sets of first management record datahave links to second management record data, so the “pointers to datalinked to behind” store their own address.

[First Marking (IN-point)]

When the first marking is performed, a 95 pixel by 60 pixel clip imagedata is formed by controlling the readout from the frame memory 11 c.The clip image data thus formed is stored in the empty area of the RAM10 b as clip image data with the index No. “1”. At the same time as thisstoring action, clip image data thus formed is displayed on the IN-clipdisplay area 24 a. The second management record data 201 for managingthe clip image data at this time is temporarily stored in the registerin the CPU 10, and is not stored in the RAM 10 b. The reason for thisis: at this point, it is still unclear to which management record datathat the second management record data will link.

[Second Marking (IN-point)]

When the second marking is performed, clip image data with the index No.“2” is formed in the same manner, and stored in the empty area in theRAM 10 b. In this case, two consecutive IN-points have been stored, sothe clip image data with the index No. “1” displayed in the IN-clipdisplay area 24 a is not used as an event. Accordingly, the clip imagedata with the index No. “1” displayed in the IN-clip display area 24 ais moved to the clip display area 28. Also, as a result of this secondmarking, it is determined that the second management record data 201which manages the clip image data with the index No. “1” links to thefirst management record data 101 for clip data. Consequently, as shownin FIG. 15, the second management record data 201 temporarily stored inthe register of the CPU 10 is stored in the RAM 10 b as having beenlinked to the first management record data 101.

On the other hand, the clip image data with the index No. “2” generatedby this second marking is newly displayed on the IN-clip display area 24a instead of the clip image data with the index No. “1”. As with thecase of the first marking, the second management record data 202managing the clip image data with the index No. “2” is temporarilystored in the register within the CPU 10.

[Third Marking (OUT-point)]

When the third marking is performed, clip image data with the index No.“3” is formed in the same manner, and stored in the empty area in theRAM 10 b. This third marking is for an OUT-point, so an event is formedwherein the clip image data with the index No. “2” serves as theIN-point and the clip image data with the index No. “3” serves as theOUT-point. Accordingly, the clip image data with the index No. “2” whichis displayed on the IN-clip display area 24 a is copied to the eventdisplay area 29, while remaining displayed on the IN-clip display area24 a. Also, as a result of this third marking, it is determined that thesecond management record data 202 which manages the clip image data withthe index No. “2” links to the first management record data 102 forevent data. Consequently, as shown in FIG. 16, the second managementrecord data 202 temporarily stored in the register of the CPU 10 isstored in the RAM 10 b as having been linked to the first managementrecord data 102.

On the other hand, the clip image data with the index No. “3” generatedby this third marking is newly displayed on the OUT-clip display area 24d. It has been determined that the second management record data 202which manages the clip image data with the index No. “3” links to thefirst management record data 102, and thus is not stored in the registerwithin the CPU 10.

[Fourth Marking (IN-point)]

When the fourth marking is performed, clip image data with the index No.“4” is formed in the same manner, and stored in the empty area in theRAM 10 b. At the same time as this storing action, clip image data thusformed is displayed on the IN-clip display area 24 a. Also, in the samemanner as the first marking, the second management record data 204 formanaging the clip image data with the index No. “4” is temporarilystored in the register in the CPU 10. The clip image data with the indexNo. “3” which had been displayed in the OUT-clip display area 24 d isalready stored, so it is cleared from the OUT-clip display area 24 d.

[Fifth Marking (IN-point)]

When the fifth marking is performed, clip image data with the index No.“5” is formed in the same manner, and stored in the empty area in theRAM 10 b. In this case, two consecutive IN-points have been stored, sothe clip image data with the index No. “4” displayed in the IN-clipdisplay area 24 a is moved to the clip display area 28. Also, as aresult of this fifth marking, the second management record data 204stored in the register in the CPU 10 is stored in the RAM 10 b as havingbeen linked to the second management record data 201, as shown in FIG.15.

On the other hand, the clip image data with the index No. “5” generatedby this fifth marking is displayed on the IN-clip display area 24 a. Aswith the case of the fourth marking, the second management record data205 managing the clip image data with the index No. “5” is temporarilystored in the register within the CPU 10. Subsequent marking actionsfollow the same process, so description here will be omitted.

Regarding the example shown in FIG. 14, a certain event is copied fromthe event display area 29, and further, effects are inserted betweencertain events. Next, the operation in this case will be described withreference to FIG. 17.

That is, by means of carrying out marking as described above, the eventdisplay area 29 sequentially displays: clip image data with the indexNo. “2” which comprises the event with the event No. “1”, clip imagedata with the index No. “6” which comprises the event with the event No.“2”, clip image data with the index No. “8” which comprises the eventwith the event No. “3”, and clip image data with the index No. “11”which comprises the event with the event No. “4”.

In this state, in the event that the user operates the mouse 2 d to dragand drop the clip image data with the index No. “6” onto the programdisplay area 30, second management record data 206 which manages anevent comprised of clip image data of the IN-point with the index No.“6” and clip image data of the OUT-point with the index No. “7”, islinked to the first management record data 103.

In the same way, in the event that the user drags and drops the IN-pointclip image data with the index No. “2” displayed on the event displayarea 29 to a position behind the index No. “6” on the program displayarea 30, second management record data 202 which manages an eventcomprised of clip image data of the IN-point with the index No. “2” andclip image data of the OUT-point with the index No. “3”, is linked tothe second management record data 206.

Further, in the same way, in the event that the user operates the mouse2 d to drag and drop the IN-point clip image data with the index No. “8”displayed on the event display area 29 to a position behind the clipimage data with the index No. “2” on the program display area 30, secondmanagement record data 208 which manages an event comprised of clipimage data of the IN-point with the index No. “8” and clip image data ofthe OUT-point with the index No. “9”, is linked to the second managementrecord data 202.

In such a state, in the event that the user selects a certain effectfrom the picture effects set-up area 25 and drags and drops it betweenthe clip image data with the index No. “6” and the clip image data withthe index No. “2” on the program display area 30, the link destinationafter the second management record data 206 is switched from the secondmanagement record data 202 to the second management record data 201Ewhich has the effect No. “1”. Also, the link destination before thesecond management record data 202 is switched from the second managementrecord data 206 to the second management record data 201E.

In the same way, in the event that the user selects effect No. “2” fromthe picture effects set-up area 25 and drags and drops it between theclip image data with the index No. “2” and the clip image data with theindex No. “8” on the program display area 30, the link destination afterthe second management record data 202 is switched from the secondmanagement record data 208 to the second management record data 202Ewhich manages the effect No. “2”. Also, the link destination before thesecond management record data 208 is switched from the second managementrecord data 202 to the second management record data 202E.

Thus, picture effects data (effects setting clip image data) isprocessed in the same manner as normal clip image data.

<Configuration of the Hybrid Recorder>

Next, description will be made regarding the hybrid recorder 3 (3 athrough 3 d) with reference to FIG. 18. As shown in FIG. 18, the hybridrecorder 3 is comprised of a hard disk drive (HDD) 300 formed of aplurality of hard disks linked in an array capable of recording andreplay of the input video signals V1 seemingly at the same time, and avideo tape recorder (VTR) 301 provided for backing up the recording andreplay of the hard disk drive 300. Thus, during sports broadcasting, forexample, the picture can be constantly recorded, while allowing decisiveplays to be replayed, and at the same time, even in the event that arecording or replay error occurs in the hard disk drive 300, the videotape recorder 301 serves as a backup so that the decisive plays can berecorded and replayed in a sure manner, and not missed.

Specific description shall be made regarding the configuration of such ahybrid recorder 3. First, the hybrid recorder 3 has an interface unit302 based on RS-422 communications protocol, so as to receive controlcommands being sent from the external interface 18 of the computer 2,such as start recording commands, start replay commands, stop replaycommands, and so forth. This interface unit 302 hands the receivedcontrol commands to a CPU 303.

The CPU 303 controls the entire hybrid recorder 3, and controls theoperation of each portion according to the control commands receivedfrom the interface unit 302. Thus, the hybrid recorder 3 can record theinput video signals V1 and audio signals A1, and replay the recordedsignals to be output as replay video signals V3 and audio signals A3.

First, the video signals V1 and audio signals A1 continuously suppliedfrom a source such as a video camera or the like are converted fromserial data into parallel data at a serial/parallel (S/P) converter 314,following which the video signals V1 are input to a first switch 304.This first switch 304 also receives video signals output from a decoder305. The first switch 304 is for selecting video signals to record tothe hard disk drive 300 and video tape recorder (VTR) based on controlsignals from the CPU 303, and selects either the video signals V1 or thevideo signals output from the decoder 305 and outputs the selected oneto an encoder 306.

Incidentally, generally, the video signals V1 are recorded, so the firstswitch 304 selects the video signals V1. Also, a situation in which thevideo signals output from the decoder 305 are selected would be asituation wherein the video signals recorded in the hard disk drive 300are to be transferred to the video tape recorder 301 and recorded there.

The encoder 306 converts the analog video signals supplied from thefirst switch 304 into digital video signals, and also compresses andencodes the digitized video signals in increments of frames based on theMPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) standards.

On the other hand, the audio signals A1 output from the serial/parallelconverter 314 are input to the audio data control unit 317. Input ofaudio signals from a microphone 8 are made to a switch 315, andselection is made of either the audio signals from the microphone 8 oraudio signals from other devices, the selected audio signals are.subjected to A/D conversion by an A/D converter 306, and supplied to theaudio data control unit 317. The audio data control unit 314 selectseither the audio signals input from the serial/parallel control unit 314or the audio signals input from the A/D converter 316, based on controlfrom the CPU 303, and outputs the selected one to the encoder 306. Theencoder 306 compresses the audio data input from the audio data controlunit 317 based on MPEG standards, superimposes the audio data on thevideo data, and outputs it.

Also supplied to the audio data control unit 317 is replay audio datafrom the HDD 300 or VTR 301 output by the third switch 310. The audiodata control unit 317 processes the replay audio data, and supplies itto the decoder 305. Further, the audio data control unit 317 outputs thereplayed audio data from the HDD 300 or VTR 301 to the D/A converter318, where the replayed audio data is subjected to D/A conversion, andthen output to a speaker 320 via the audio out terminal 319, so as tocast sound into the air.

Supplied to the second switch 307 is video signals and audio signalsfrom the video tape recorder 301, in addition to encoded video signalsand audio signals output from the encoder 306. This second switch 307 isfor selecting video signals and audio signals to supply to the hard diskdrive 300 based on control signals from the CPU 303, and selects eitherthe encoded video signals and audio signals output from the encoder 306or the encoded video signals and audio signals output from the videotape recorder. Also, the hard disk drive 300 records encoded videosignals and audio signals, so the second switch 307 selects encodedvideo signals and audio signals. Incidentally, a situation in which thevideo signals and audio signals output from the video tape recorder 301are selected would be a situation wherein the video signals and audiosignals recorded in the video tape recorder 301 are to be transferred tothe hard disk drive 300 and recorded there.

The video signals and audio signals selected by the second switch 307are input to the input buffer memory 308. The input buffer memory 308has storage capacity for storing e.g., 15 frames of video signals andaudio signals, and stores the input video signals and audio signalstemporarily.

The hard disk drive 300 has a hard disk array formed of a plurality ofhard disks 300A (described later with reference to FIG. 66) linked in anarray, thereby having sufficient storage capacity for video signals andaudio signals. When the hard disk drive 300 is commanded by the CPU 303to perform a recording operation, the video signals and audio signalsstored in the input buffer memory 308 are successively read out, andstored in the hard disk array in increments of frames. Also, when thehard disk drive 300 is commanded by control signals from the CPU 303 toperform a replay operation, the video signals and audio signals of theportion specified by the CPU 303 are read out from the hard disk array,and replayed. The replayed video signals and audio signals are output toan output buffer memory 309 which has storage capacity for storing e.g.,15 frames of video signals and audio signals, and stored temporarily.The output buffer memory 309 successively reads out the temporarilystored video signals and audio signals and outputs these to a switch310.

Now, specific description will be made regarding the recording andreplaying operations of the hard disk drive 300. In this hybrid recorder3, all of the recording and. replaying operations of the hard disk drive300 are managed by the CPU 303. Based on a time code output from thetime-code generating unit 313, the CPU 303 appropriates time code toeach video frame of the video signals to be recorded, and alsoappropriates recording addresses to each video frame of the videosignals. The CPU 303 then stores the appropriated time code and therecording addresses as a correlation table.

During the recording operation, the CPU 303 instructs the hard diskdrive 300 of a recording address and a recording command upon receivingthese, the hard disk drive 300 proceeds to record video signals to thespecified recording address.

On the other hand, during the replay operation, when the video signalsto be read out are specified by the computer 2 by time code, the CPU 303makes reference to the aforementioned correlation table and checks wherethe video frame of the commanded time code is (i.e., checks therecording address). Then, the CPU 303 instructs the hard disk drive 300of the replay command and the checked recording address. Thus, the harddisk drive 300 replays the video signal from the instructed address(replays the video signals requested by the computer 2). Thus, by theCPU 303 forming a correlation table of the relation between the timecode and the recording addresses, the instructed replay position can bespeedily replayed event in the case that the replay position has beeninstructed by time code from the computer 2. Incidentally, audio signalsare recorded and replayed in the same manner as the corresponding videosignals.

Also, in the event that an external time code (Ext.TC) is to be inputexternally, the above-described time-code generating unit 313 suppliesthe external time code to the CPU 303 as the time code, and in the eventthat an external time code is not to be input, the time-code generatingunit 313 supplies its own time code.

Next, the role of the input buffer memory 308 and output buffer memory309 provided to the input side and output side of the hard disk drive300 will be described. The two buffer memories 308 and 309 function asbuffers for making the recording operation and replaying operation ofthe hard disk drive 300 seemingly be parallel. This hard disk drive 300is arranged so as to be capable of conducting recording operation atleast twice the speed at which the input buffer memory 308 can take invideo signals or faster, and also so as to be capable of conductingreplaying operation at least twice the speed at which the output buffermemory 309 can replay video signals or faster. To this end, providingbuffer memories 308 and 309 to the input side and output side allows foran arrangement wherein the hard disk drive 300 performs replayoperations of storing video signals and audio signals in the outputbuffer memory 309 while the input buffer memory 308 is taking in videosignals and audio signals, and also wherein the hard disk drive 300performs recording operations of reading video signals and audio signalsfrom the input buffer memory 308 while the output buffer memory 309 isreading video signals and audio signals. Hence, providing buffermemories 308 and 309 to the input side and output side of the hard diskdrive 300 allows the hard disk drive 300 to seemingly conduct recordingand replay operations simultaneously.

Description of the members will be continued now, returning to FIG. 18.As described above, the encoded video signals and audio signals outputfrom the encoder 306 as described above are also supplied to the videotape recorder 301. The video tape recorder 301 is provided as a backupto the hard disk drive 300, and performs recording or replayingoperations according to control signals from the CPU 303. For example,in the event that the hard disk drive 300 is recording, the video taperecorder 301 acts as a recording backup, so the video tape recorder 301records the video signals and audio signals that are input parallel withthe recording actions of the hard disk drive 300, onto video tape. Also,in the event that the hard disk drive 300 is performing replayoperations due to a command received from the CPU 303, the video taperecorder 301 acts as a replay backup, so the video tape recorder 301replays and outputs the same video signals and audio signals that arebeing replayed by the hard disk drive 300, from video tape.

Incidentally, the recording and replaying operations of the video taperecorder 301 are managed by the CPU 303 in the same manner as the harddisk drive 300, but positions on the video tape cannot be specified byaddress as with the hard disk drive, so the CPU specifies the time codeitself instead of address information. That is, the video tape recorder301 adds the time code given by the CPU 303 to the material beingrecorded when conducting recording operations, and reads the time codegiven by the CPU 303 when replaying in order to confirm the readingposition and conduct replaying operations.

The video signals and audio signals replayed from the video taperecorder 301 are input to the third switch 310, as with the vide osignals and audio signals replayed from the hard disk drive 300. Thisthird switch 310 selects the video signals to be output as replay videosignals V3, based on the control signals from the CPU 303. That is, thethird switch 310 selects either the video signals replayed from the harddisk drive 300 or the video signals replayed from the video taperecorder 301, based on control signals from the CPU 303. Generally, thevideo signals replayed from the hard disk drive 300 are selected. Asituation in which the video signals replayed from the video taperecorder 301 are selected would be a situation wherein an error hasoccurred in the video signals from the hard disk drive 300.

The video signals selected buy th e third switch 310 are supplied to thedecoder 305. The decoder 305 is for decoding the video signals whichhave been compressed and encoded in increments of frames, and thedecoder 305 decodes the input video signals based on the MPEG standard.The decoder 305 also converts the decoded digital video signals intoanalog video signals, and outputs the video signals to the first timecode adding unit 311.

The third switch 310 supplies the selected audio signals to the audiodata control unit 317. The audio data control unit 317 subjects theinput audio signals to certain processing and then outputs these to thedecoder 305. The decoder 305 decodes the audio signals based on the MPEGstandards, and superimposes the analog audio signals on the videosignals and outputs to the first time code adding unit 311.

The first time code adding unit 311 adds the time code to the verticalsynchronous period of the video signals output from the decoder 305,based on the time code supplied from the CPU 303. However, in the eventthat the video signals output from the decoder 305 are video signalsreplayed by the video tape recorder, the time code has been addedalready, so the time code is not added here; the time code is added onlyto video signals replayed from the hard disk drive 300. Incidentally,the time code to be added to the video signals matches the time codeappropriated when recording. The video signals which have received timecode by this first time code adding unit 311 are externally output asreplay video signals V3 along with the audio signals A3, and also sentto the picture effects device 6.

Also output from the hybrid recorder 3 are video signals V2 which arealmost the same as the input video signals V1, besides the replay videosignals V3 and audio signals A3. The video signals V2 are video signalscreated by adding the time code to the video signals V1 with a secondtime code adding unit 312. In this case, the second time code addingunit 312 adds the time code to the vertical synchronous period of thevideo signals V1, based on the time code supplied from the CPU 303, andoutputs these as the video signals V2. At this time, the second timecode adding unit 312 adds the time code to the video signals V1 so thatthe correlation between the time code and the video frame to which it isbeing applied agrees with the video signals V3. For example, in theevent that a certain video frame has received a time code of“00:01:23:45” from the first time code adding unit 311, the video framein the video signals V1 corresponding with that video frame also has thetime code of “00:01:23:45” applied thereto.

Thus, the hybrid recorder 3 is designed so as to proceed with recordingthe video signals V1 on the hard disk drive 300, and at the same timereplay video signals v3 from the hard disk drive 300, so that therecording operation and replay operation are conducted almostsimultaneously. Also, the hybrid recorder 3 also is equipped with avideo tape recorder 301 to back up the hard disk drive 300, so even inthe case that trouble occurs with the hard disk drive 300, recording andreplaying operations can be carried out in a sure manner.

Further, the audio data control unit 317 supplies replay audio signalsto the D/A converter 318 decayed by a certain amount when conductingpreview replay at the time of voice-over editing, as later describedwith reference to FIG. 53, and then output from the speaker 320.

<Setting Replay Speed>

[Replay Speed Setting Area]

Next, description will be given regarding the replay speed setting of anevent. This editing system 1 is arranged such that the display of theimage effects setting area 25 can be changed to the display of thereplay speed setting area 25A in either the picture mode or time-linemode, and thereby use this to set the replay speed of an event inincrements of frames. Accordingly, slow replay can be set for an eventconsisting of, for example, the instant of hitting a home-run in abaseball broadcast. That is, the event consisting of the home-run sceneis replayed in slow-motion, thereby providing the audience with apicture of the movement of the batter and the flight of the ball in aneven more realistic representation. Also, the replay speed can be set inincrements of frames, so a replay might be made wherein the scene inwhich the pitcher pitches the ball is replayed in relatively fastslow-motion, and the instant that the batter hits the ball is replayedin relatively slow slow-motion. Such setting of differing slow replayspeeds within the event provides the audience with a picture with evenmore impact.

This point will be described in greater detail with reference to FIG.19. First, the replay speed setting area 25A shown in FIG. 19 can bebrought up instead of the image effects setting area 25 by means ofbringing up a pull-down menu by clicking the option button 22 h in thetiming display area 22, and operating the DMC (Dynamic Motion Control)button from it. The replay speed setting area 25A has a learn button25Aa, a speed-fit button 25Ab, normal replay speed setting button 25Ac,event No. display portion 25Ad, event duration display portion 25Ae,time-line scale display portion 25Af, time runner display portion 25Ag,point display portion 25Ah, IN-point time code display portion 25Ai,OUT-point time code display portion 25Aj, and remaining amount indicatorportion 25Ak.

The learn button 25Aa (LEARN) is a button used for setting the replayspeed using the later-described dedicated controller 2 e. Clicking thislearn button 25Aa and then inputting replay speed information using thededicated controller 2 e stores the speed information, and sets thereplay speed of the event. The speed fit button 25Ab (FIT) is a buttonfor automatically setting the replay speed by numerical value input fromthe keyboard 2 c of the length from the IN-point to the OUT-point (i.e.,the duration). Clicking the speed fit button 25Ab and then inputting theduration value from the keyboard 2 c automatically sets the optimalreplay speed for the duration value.

The normal replay speed setting button 25Ac (NORMAL) is a button usedfor canceling the settings for replay speed. Specifying the event forwhich settings for replay speed have been made, then clicking the normalreplay speed setting button 25Ac cancels the set replay speed, returningthe replay speed to normal, i.e., 1× speed. The event No. displayportion 25Ad is an area for displaying the event No. of a specifiedevent. The displayed event No. is the same as the event No. displayed inthe event No. display portion 29 d in the event display area 29.

The event duration display portion 25Ae is an area for displaying thelength from the IN-point to the OUT-point, i.e., the duration. Thisevent duration display portion 25Ae displays the duration in incrementsof frames. The time-line scale display portion 25Af is an area forvisually displaying increments for the duration of the specified event,i.e., for displaying the scale. The scale displayed by the time-linescale display portion 25Af is in increments of frames.

The time runner display portion 25Ag is a position display portion fordisplaying which portion in the event is currently set or beingreplayed, when replay speed is being set with the later-describeddedicated controller 2 e, or when previewing an event for which thereplay speed has been set. This time runner display portion 25Agdisplays an icon 25 ga shaped like a person running, and indicates theposition within the event being set or replayed by the position that theicon 25 ga is displayed with reference to the time-line scale displayportion 25Af. Accordingly, the operator can easily understand whichposition is being set or replayed by the position of the icon 25 ga.

Also, in this case, the icon 25 ga sequentially follows the scale fromthe IN-point toward the OUT-point in accordance with the passage ofsetting or replay, but the speed of movement of the icon 25 ga at thistime changes according to the replay speeds set therein, so the operatorcan. easily visually understand which portions are set with slow replayspeed, and so forth.

The point display portion 25Ah is an area for displaying whether thereare other IN-points or OUT-points between the IN-point and OUT-point ofthe specified event. With this point display portion 25Ah, a pointer 25ha is displayed at the position of any other such IN-points orOUT-points. Thus, the operator can easily visually grasp other editingpoints. The IN-point time code display portion 25Ai and OUT-point timecode display portion 25Aj are areas for displaying the time code of theIN-point and OUT-point of the selected event.

The remaining amount indicator portion 25Ak is an area for displayingthe remaining amount as to the maximum learn duration time, at the timeof clicking the learn button 25Aa and setting the replay speed using thededicated controller 2 e to store that replay speed in the RAM 10 b ofthe CPU 10. The storage area appropriated for setting the replay speedfor a certain event is determined beforehand, so the remaining capacitycan easily be calculated by checking the remaining capacity of thestorage area. Providing such a remaining amount indicator portion 25Akallows the user to visually understand the remaining amount of memory,thereby avoiding replay speed settings that would run over the maximumlearn duration time.

<Dedicated Controller>

Next, description will be made regarding the dedicated controller 2 eused for setting the replay speed, with reference to FIG. 20. As shownin FIG. 20, the dedicated controller 2 e has a plurality of buttons andalso a search dial 400 which is a rotary encoder and a motion controllever 401 which is a slide encoder. so that the operator can use thesetwo operating units to freely input the replay speed by manualoperating.

First, description will be made regarding the operating buttons providedon the operating panel face of the dedicated controller 2 e. Provided tothe upper center portion of the operating panel face are: a learn(LEARN) button 402, start (START) button 403, stop (STOP) button 404,select recording side (R) button 405, select play side (P) button 406,play (PLAY) button 407, still (STILL) button 408, mark-IN (MARK IN)button 409, and a mark-OUT (MARK OUT) button 410. Further, providedbelow these operating buttons are: the above-described search dial 400,shuttle (SHUTTL) button 411, jog (JOG) button 412, variable (VAR) button413, and variable indicator 414.

On the other hand, provided to the right side of the operating panelface are: a preview (PREVIEW) button 415, cursor. button 416, and enter(ENTER) button 417, in that order from the top. On the other hand, theabove-described motion control lever 401 is provided to the left side ofthe operating panel so as to slide vertically to the operating panel.

Of these operating buttons, the learn button 402 is a button used forsetting the replay speed using the motion control lever 401 or thesearch dial 400, and storing it. The replay speed is stored from thetime that the learn button 402 is pressed and the motion control lever401 or the search dial 400 is operated till the time that the mark-OUT410 button is operated. Incidentally, function-wise, this learn button402 is almost the same as the learn button 25Aa displayed in the replayspeed setting area 25A.

The start button 403 is a button operated for outputting a startrecording command to the hybrid recorder 3 and recording the videosignals displayed on the recorded video display area 21. Also, the stopbutton 404 is a button which is operated for outputting a stop recordingcommand to the hybrid recorder 3 and stopping the recording operation ofthe video signals displayed on the recorded video display area 21.Incidentally, function-wise, these buttons 403 and 404 are almost thesame as the recording start/stop button 31 a displayed on the monitor 2b.

The select recording side button 405 and select play side button 406 arebuttons for selecting the object of control by the dedicated controller2 e. In the event of controlling the recording side with the dedicatedcontroller 2 e, the recording side button 405 is pressed, and in theevent of controlling the replaying side, the select play side button 406is pressed.

The play button 407 is a button for outputting start replay commands tothe hybrid recorder 3 and displaying video signals on the replay videodisplay area. Also, the still button 408 is a button for outputting stopreplay commands to the hybrid recorder 3 and stopping the displaying ofvideo signals on the replay video display area. Pressing the stillbutton 408 displays a still image on the replay video screen 23 a.

The mark-IN button 409 and mark-OUT button 410 are buttons to be usedfor setting the respective IN-points and OUT-points. Incidentally, thebuttons 409 and 410 operate in the same manner as the mark IN button 24c and the mark OUT button 24 f provided to the recorded video markingarea 24 while the recording side button 405 is pressed, and operate inthe same manner as the mark IN button 27 c and the mark OUT button 27 fprovided to the replay video marking area 27 while the play side button406 is pressed.

The shuttle button 411 is a button to be pressed when operating thesearch dial 400 in the shuttle mode, and the jog button 412 is a buttonto be pressed when operating the search dial 400 in the jog mode. Also,the variable button 413 is a button to be pressed when operating thesearch dial 400 in the variable mode, or operating the motion controllever 401. Incidentally, pressing the variable button 416 lights thevariable indicator 414 to the right and the search dial is set to thevariable mode, pressing the variable button 416 again lights thevariable indicator 414 to the left and the motion control lever 401becomes available, and pressing the variable button 416 once more turnsof the variable indicators 414 to the right and left, and the searchdial 400 and the motion control lever become in accessible.

The preview button 415 has the same function as the preview button 45 bshown in FIG. 6 and the preview button 32 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Thepreview button 415 is a button used for previewing a selected event orprogram. Selecting an event or program and pressing the preview button415 outputs a start replay command for the event or program to thehybrid recorder 3, and the video signals of the event or program aredisplayed on the replay video screen 23 a.

The cursor button 416 is comprised of four buttons, i.e., a down button,up button, left button, and right button. The cursor button 416 is usedfor moving the cursor when selecting clip image data in the clip displayarea 28, event display area 29, and program display area 30.

The enter button has two types of functions. One is a function forinputting registration commands for registering a section between anIN-point and OUT-point set in the replay video marking area 27 as a newevent (the same as the new event button 33 displayed on the monitor 2b), and the other is a function for inputting sending commands forsending selected events or programs.

The search dial 400 is a rotary encoder for inputting replay speedinformation according to the rotating operation of the operator. Asdescribed above, this search dial 400 operates in the three modes ofshuttle mode, jog mode, and variable mode, by pressing the shuttlebutton 411, jog button 412, and variable button 413.

First, when in the shuttle mode, replay speed information from −100×speed to +100× speed can be input by the rotation position of thissearch dial 400. Incidentally, in this mode, the search dial 400operates in clicks of still image, +10× speed and −10× speed.

Also, when in the jog mode, replay speed information from −1× speed to+1× speed can be input by the rotation position of this search dial 400.Further, when in the variable mode, replay speed information from −1×speed to +3× speed can be input by the rotation position of this searchdial 400. Incidentally, in this mode, the search dial 400 operates inclicks of still image and +1× speed.

As described above, the operator can select the jog mode which allowsfor fine speed setting by narrowing the control range, the shuttle modewhich allows for settings over a wide area by rough speed settings, orthe variable mode wherein the setting range on the + (plus) side hasbeen extended, according to the replay speed that the operator desiresto set, thereby freely setting the replay speed.

The motion control lever 401 is a slide encoder for inputting replayspeed information according to sliding operation by the operator.Sliding the motion control lever 401 up. and down allows input of replayspeed from a still image to +1× speed. Incidentally, range extendingbuttons 401 a are provided on either side of the motion control lever401, and pressing the range extending buttons 401 a extend the replayspeed information which can be input from 1-× speed to +3× speed.

In this way, replay speed information from a still image to +1× speedcan be input with the motion control lever 401, and the operator canfreely set the replay speed within that range. Also, providing therotation-operated search dial 400 and the slide-operation motion controllever 401 allow the operator to input replay speed information usingwhichever he/she feels comfortable with, thereby improving ease of use.

The command information input from the operating buttons on thededicated controller 2 e, and the replay speed information input fromthe search dial 400 and the motion control lever 401 are output to theCPU 10 via the pointing device interface 17. Accordingly, the CPU 10performs action control according to the command information, andperforms replay action for specified events according to the replayspeed information thereof. Incidentally, in the event that the learnbutton is pressed, the CPU 10 stores the replay speed informationthereof in the RAM 10 b as the replay speed of a specified event.

Now, in the case of storing replay speed information, the information isstored according to a data format such as shown in FIG. 21, for example.that is, speed data is stored for each video frame from the IN-point ofthe specified event to the OUT point thereof. Incidentally, the speeddata is digital data which has been output from the search dial 400 orthe motion control lever 401, and decoded by the pointing deviceinterface 17. When replaying, the CPU 10 reads the speed data stored inthis format and controls the replay speed. At this time, the CPUperforms calculation of v=10 (N/32−2) wherein N represents speed dataand v represents the replay speed, and uses the value obtained therebyas the replay speed. Accordingly, in the event that the speed data is“64”, for example, the replay speed is “1.0”, and in the event that thespeed data is “32”, the replay speed is “0.1”.

<Method for Setting Replay Speed>

Next, the setting procedures for setting the replay speed using thereplay speed setting area 25A will be described.

First, regarding the method for setting the replay speed, there arethree general methods. The first method involves inputting the replayspeed information (speed data) from the keyboard 2 c without using thededicated controller 2 e, the second involves inputting the replay speedinfbrmation (speed data) using the dedicated controller 2 e afterspecifying an event, and the third involves inputting the replay speedinformation using the dedicated controller 2 e without specifying anevent.

With the first method, the event for which the operator wishes to setthe replay speed is clicked on in the event display area 29 and thusspecified. Next, the option button 22 h in the timing display area 22 isoperated, to display the replay speed setting area 25A. The No. andduration of the specified event is displayed therein. Next, the speedfit button 25Ab of the replay speed setting area 25A is clicked. Thisallows the replay speed information to be input from the keyboard, sothe operator inputs the replay speed information. Incidentally, in thiscase, what is actually input is not the replay speed information (speeddata) itself, but the duration. This operation automatically sets replayspeed optimal for the event according to the duration value.

In the case that the event is to be previewed later, all that isnecessary is to click the preview button 32. Or, in the case that theset replay speed is to be saved, all that is necessary is to click thenew event button 33 or the replace button 35.

With the second method, the event for which the operator wishes to setthe replay speed is clicked on in the event display area 29 and thusspecified. Next, the option button 22 h in the timing display area 22 isclicked. This displays the replay speed setting area 25A, and the No.and duration of the specified event are displayed therein. Next, thelearn button 25Aa of the replay speed setting area 25A is clicked. Thisenables setting of the replay speed, so the replay speed information isinput using the search dial 400 or the motion control lever 401 of thededicated controller 2 e. This input replay speed information issequentially stored in the RAM 10 b of the CPU 10. In the case thatsetting of the replay speed is to be ended at this point, pressing themark-OUT button 27 f in the replay video marking area 27 or the mark-OUTbutton 410 on the dedicated controller 2 e ends setting of the replayspeed. Incidentally, in the case that the set replay speed is to besaved, all that is necessary is to click the new event button 33 or thereplace button 35.

With the third method, the operator watches the replay video screen 23 aon the replay video display area and presses the learn button 402 of thededicated controller 2 e at a desired position. This sets the IN-pointand enables setting of the replay speed, so the replay speed informationis input using the search dial 400 or the motion control lever 401 ofthe dedicated controller 2 e. This input replay speed information issequentially stored in the RAM 10 b of the CPU 10. In the case thatsetting of the replay speed is to be ended at this point, pressing themark-OUT button 27 f in the replay video marking area 27 or the mark-OUTbutton 416 on the dedicated controller 2 e ends setting of the replayspeed. Incidentally, in the case that the set replay speed is to besaved, all that is necessary is to click the new event button 33 or thereplace button 35.

<Pre-roll Mode>

Next, description will be given regarding the pre-roll mode provided tothe editing system 1. Normally, in the case of generating an event, theoperator watches the video data displayed on the recorded video screen21 a and clicks the mark-IN button 24 c or mark-OUT button 24 f in therecorded video marking area 24 to specify IN-points and OUT-points.Accordingly, the editing system 1 records video data between thespecified IN-point and OUT-point as an event. In the case of confirmingthe registered event, the operator clicks on the event displayed in theevent display area 29 to specify it, and then clicks on the previewbutton 32. This starts the replay action of that event, and the videodata from the IN-point to the OUT-point of that event is displayed onthe replay video screen 23 a.

Now, in the case of specifying the IN-point of an event, the arrangementis such that the operator watches the video data displayed on therecorded video screen 21 a and clicks the mark-IN button 24 c to specifyan IN-point, but there are cases in which the IN-point is specifiedlater than the scene which should be used as an event due to clickingthe mark-IN button 24 c too late and so forth. For example, in the caseof registering a home-run scene as an event during a live baseball gamebroadcast, generally the period from the time the pitcher pitches theball to the time at which the ball that the batter has hit sails overthe fence should be registered as the event, but the operator has no wayof telling whether or not the ball hit by the batter will make ahome-run scene until the ball actually sails over the fence, sospecification of the IN-point will always be too late. The video dataafter such a belated IN-point is specified is of no importance, so theevent must be corrected.

Accordingly, in the case of the editing system 1, a “pre-roll mode” isprovided, wherein replaying action is automatically started from a pointreaching back a certain amount of time before the IN-point specified bythe operator, thereby facilitating ease of correction of marking points.This pre-roll mode will be described in detail below.

First, the time over which the pre-roll mode is used, i.e., the amountof time that the system shifts backwards from the IN-point specified bythe operator to start replaying (hereafter, this time will be referredto as “cue-up time”) can be freely set from the menu preferencesettings. In the case of setting the cue-up time, the preferencesettings provided to the menu are called, and the operator selects thecue-up item from therein. Selection of the cue-up item brings up acue-up setting screen on the screen such as shown in FIG. 22. In thecue-up setting screen, clicking on the set time display area 500 andthen inputting the amount of time to be set as the cue-up time from thekeyboard in increments of seconds displays that time on the set timedisplay area 500, and the cue-up time is tentatively set.

Incidentally, selecting one of the jog buttons 501 next to the set timedisplay area 500 in the desired direction shifts the time in incrementsof seconds, so the cue-up time may be input using the jog buttons 501.

Once the cue-up time is thus input, the setting button 502 is clickedand the time displayed in the set time display area 500 is officiallyregistered as the cue-up time. More specifically, the input cue-up timeis stored in the storage area for preference settings data within theRAM 10 b. Incidentally, clicking the cancel button 503 resets the timedisplayed in the set time display area 500, and the cue-up time can beentered anew. Clicking the set button 502 automatically takes the cue-upsetting screen off of the screen.

Operating the pre-roll button 22 e of the timing display area 22 in thestate wherein the cue-up time is this set specifies activation of thepre-roll mode, so the pre-roll button 22 e is lit and the pre-roll modeis activated. In order to cancel the pre-roll mode, clicking on thepre-roll button 22 e once more instructs ending of the pre-roll mode,and so the pre-roll button 22 e goes off and the pre-roll mode ends.

In the state wherein the pre-roll mode is activated, clicking on themark-IN button 24 c in the recorded video marking area 24 specifies theIN-point, and the clip image data specified as the IN-point is displayedon the IN-clip display area 24 a. At the same time, the set cue-up timeis read out, and as shown in FIG. 23, the time code of the positionshifted backwards by the amount of time represented by the cue-up timefrom the time code of the position specified as the IN-point iscalculated. Then, the editing system 1 outputs a replay command to thehybrid recorder 3 with the calculated time code position as the startreplay point, whereby the replay operation is automatically started fromthat replay start point. The replayed video signal V3 is displayed onthe replay video screen 23 a via the picture effects device 6 as videosignals V6, so the operator can easily correct the IN-point by watchingthe video data displayed on the replay video screen 23 a and clickingthe mark-IN button 27 c in the replay video marking area 27.Incidentally, clicking the mark-OUT button 27 f to specify the OUT-pointand clicking on the new event button 33 registers the video data in thesection between the IN-point to the OUT-point as an event.

By means of thus activating the pre-roll mode beforehand, with referenceto the example of the live baseball game broadcast, even in the eventthat the mark-IN button 24 c is clicked to specify an IN-point at thepoint that the ball hit by the batter goes over the fence, the replayoperation is automatically performed from a position reaching back by acertain amount of time, all the operator needs to do to correct theIN-point is to watch the replay screen and click on the mark-IN button27 c on the replay side to specify an IN-point. For example, setting theIN-point and the time at which the pitcher pitched the ball allows anevent including desired scenes such as the instant the batter hit theball, etc., to be created easily in real-time.

<Work Data Folder>

Next, this section describes the work data folder. With the editingsystem 1, work data relating to the events and programs generated by theediting operation are generally stored in the RAM 10 b, but in the eventof ending the application program and ending the editing operation, thework data is downloaded to a hard disk drive 15 a provided within thecomputer 2, and stored on a hard disk within the hard disk drive 15 a.At this time, the work data is stored in a hierarchical structure calleda folder.

This point will now be described in detail with reference FIG. 24. Asshown in FIG. 24, the work data relating to event and programs, etc., isstored in a hierarchical structure called a folder. This folder isgenerally the same as a directory in NS-DOS or the like, with the workdata folder 600 as the highest tier in the hierarchy, and lower orderfolders 601 through 603 formed below the work data folder 600, so thateach data file is stored while being managed by the hierarchicalstructure. Incidentally, the work data folder 600 is formed on the harddisk drive 15 a by the computer 2 at the time of starting up the editingsystem 1.

First, the clip image data displayed in the clip display area 28 andevent display area 29, or the program display area 30, is stored inunits of individual pieces of clip image data as clip image files underthe hierarchy of the clip folder 601 formed under the work data folder600. The contents of the clip image files are the clip image dataitself, and video data indicating a clip image is written therein. Also,the file name for each clip image file is formed by ending the index No.provided to each piece of clip image data with a suffix “.pic”.

Also, the symbol image data registered as a representative clip image ofan event is stored in units of individual pieces of symbol image data assymbol image files under the hierarchy of the symbol folder 602 formedunder the work data folder 600. The contents of the symbol image filesare video data indicating a symbol image that is written therein. Also,the file name for the symbol image file is formed by ending the No. ofthe event to which the symbol image belongs with a suffix “.pic”.

A lower order folder is not created for work data relating to programs,but rather, such work data is directly stored as a program file underthe hierarchy of the work data folder 600. Event Nos. of events makingup the program are sequentially written into the program file, andmaking reference to the program file tells which events that the programis made of. Also, the name for the program file is the word “PROG” whichindicates that this is a program file, followed with a suffix “.dat”.

A lower order folder is not created for work data relating to eventseither, but rather, such work data is directly stored as an event fileunder the hierarchy of the work data folder 600. The clip Nos. ofIN-points and OUT-points are sequentially written therein for each eventNo., and making reference to the event file tells the clip Nos. ofIN-points and OUT-points of each event. Also, the name for the eventfile is the word “EVNT” which indicates that this is a event file,followed with a suffix “.dat”.

Neither is a lower order folder created for work data relating to clipimage data, but rather, such data is directly stored as an clip fileunder the hierarchy of the work data folder 600. The index Nos. and timecodes of clip image data are sequentially written therein for each clipNo., and making reference to the clip file tells which index No. imagedata each piece of clip image data is formed of. Also, the name for theclip file is the word “CLIP” which indicates that this is a clip file,followed with a suffix “.dat”.

Also, the speed data (See FIG. 21) indicating the replay speed of anevent set using the replay speed setting area 25A is stored in units ofindividual events as slow data files under the hierarchy of the slowdata folder 603 formed under the work data folder 600. The contents ofthe slow data files are speed data such as show in FIG. 21, writtentherein in for each frame, and making reference to the slow data filetells the replay speed set for that event. Also, the file name for theslow data image file is formed by ending the No. of the event to whichthe slow data belongs with a suffix “.dat”, as illustrated in theparenthesis.

As described above, with the editing system 1, in the event of ending anapplication program, the work data relating to the events and programs,etc., generated by the editing operation is stored in a hierarchicalstructure on a hard disk within the hard disk drive 15 a. Thereby, atthe time that the application program is restarted, the work data storedon the hard disk can be read out so that the same image data displayedbefore ending can be displayed again on the program display area 30 andevent display area 29, hence returning to the state before ending theapplication. Also, storing work data thus allows the work data to be tobe read out later to output an editing list such as an EDL (EditDecision List).

<Description of Actions of the Computer>

This section describes the operation of the computer 2 in each processof the flowcharts. Note that the flowcharts used in the followingdescription basically describe the actions of the CPU 10.

[Initial Operation]

First, description of the initial operation of the computer 2 will bemade with reference to FIG. 25. First, in step S1, when the operatorspecifies execution of the application program, the CPU 10 of thecomputer 2 begins operations. Next, the application program is stored ina hard disk in the hard disk drive 15 a, so in step S2, the CPU 10uploads the application program to the operating RAM 10 b within the CPU10.

In the following step S3, the CPU 10 executes the application programuploaded to the RAM 10 b. In the next step S4, the CPU 10 secures memoryarea in the RAM 10 b for storing multiple clip image data, editing data,etc., generated by the yet-to-be-performed editing work. At this time,first management records for clip data, event data, and program datasuch as show in FIGS. 15 through 17 are generated in the RAM 10 b.

In the next step S5, the CPU 10 generates a work data folder on a harddisk in the hard disk drive 15 a, for storing work data relating toprograms and events to be generated by the yet-to-be-performed editingwork.

In the next step S6, the CPU 10 transfers graphic data to the VRAM 13 bin real-time synchronously with the internal clock of the computer 2, inorder to display graphics for the GUI on the monitor 2 b. Thus, in thenext step S7, graphics the same as the graphics data stored in the VRAM13 b are displayed on the monitor 2 b.

In the next step S8, the CPU 10 judges whether or not to display thevideo signals V2 on the recorded video screen 21 a. This judgment ismade based on specification of video display by the operator. In thecase that there is no specification of video display, judgment is madethat no editing operation is going to be performed, so the flow proceedsto step S16, and ends the process. In normal cases, there is videodisplay specification for performing the editing operation, so the flowproceeds to step S9 and enters the display processing for the videosignals V2.

In step S9, the CPU 10 commands output of the video signals V2 to thehybrid recorder 3 by means of outputting RS-422 control commands to thehybrid recorder 3 Upon receiving the control commands, the hybridrecorder 3 adds the time code to the input video signals V1 andgenerates video signals V2, which are sent to the computer 2.

In the next step S10, the data conversion unit 11 b extracts the timecode from the input composite video signals V2, and also converts thecomposite video signals V2 into digital component video data. Theconverted video data is input to the frame memory 11 c, and istemporarily stored in, increments of frames. Also, the extracted timecode data is supplied to the processor controller 11 a, and is sent tothe CPU 10 via the processor controller 11 a.

In the next step S11, the video data stored in the frame memory 11 c istransferred to the VRAM 13 b. The transferred video data is video datawhich has been reduced to 380 pixels by 240 pixels, since the number ofread-out samples from the frame memory is few. Also, negotiation isconducted regarding the image data bus 5 a, so image data for the GUI istransferred from the CPU 10 to the VRAM 13 b, in addition to the videodata. Also, by means of updating this video data stored in the VRAM 13 bin real-time, real-time video data can be displayed on the monitor 2 b.

In the next step S12, the image data and video data stored in the VRAM13 b is displayed on the monitor 2 b in real-time. In the next step S13,the CPU 10 judges whether or not to record the video data displayed onthe recorded video screen 21 a with the hybrid recorder 3. This judgmentis made based on clicking operation of the recording start/stop button31 a. That is, in the event that the recording start/stop button 31 a isclicked, judgment is made that the video data is to be recorded, and theflow proceeds to the next step S14; conversely, in the event that therecording start/stop button 31 a is not clicked, judgment is made thatthe video data is not to be recorded, and the flow proceeds to step S16,and the processing ends.

In step S14, the CPU 10 sends start recording commands to the externalinterface 18. Upon receiving the start recording commands, the externalinterface 18 converts the start recording commands into a communicationformat according to RS-422 stipulation, and sends them to the hybridrecorder 3. The hybrid recorder 3 then begins the recording operation ofthe input video signals V1.

In the next step S15, the recording operation has been started by thehybrid recorder 3, so the CPU 10 judges that all initial settings havebeen completed and ends the initial orations shown in this flowchart.

[Marking at the Recording Side]

Next, marking using the recorded video marking area 24 will be describedwith reference to FIG. 26. This marking will be understood more readilyby making reference to the description of FIGS. 13 through 17.

When the procedures of the initial operation shown in FIG. 25 arefinished, the marking operation is ready to be performed, and theprocessing starts from step S20. In step S21, the CPU judges whether ornot new marking has been performed. Judgment of whether or not newmarking has been performed is performed based on whether the mouse 2 dhas been clicked in a state wherein the cursor is positioned within themark-IN button 24 c or mark-OUT button 24 f of the recorded videomarking area 24. At this time, an interruption command is generated bythe clicking operation of the mouse 2 d, so the CPU 10 makes judgmentregarding marking according to this interruption command. In the casethat the mark-IN button 24 c is judged to have been clicked, judgment ismade that an IN-point has been specified, and the flow proceeds to stepS22; in the case that the mark-OUT button 24 f is judged to have beenclicked, judgment is made that an OUT-point has been specified, and theflow proceeds to step S30.

In step S22, IN-point clip image data is generated. This IN-point clipimage data is generated by reading the video data stored in the framememory 11 c into the VRAM 13 b.At this time, the amount of data ispruned to {fraction (1/16)} by means of reducing the number of read-outsamples, so clip image data with an image size of 95 pixels by 60 pixelsis generated.

In step S23, the IN-clip image data stored in the storage area forIN-display area of the VRAM 13 b is read out, and displayed on theIN-display area 24 a.

In step S24, the CPU 10 judges whether or not the marking in step S21 isthe first IN-point marking. If the judgment results show that this isthe first marking, the flow returns to step S21, and in the event thatit is second orl later marking, the flow proceeds to steps S25.

In step S25, the CPU 10 judges whether or not the earlier-marked clipimage data is IN-point clip image data or not. If the judgment resultsshow that the earlier-marked clip image data is IN-point clip imagedata, the flow proceeds to step S26, and in the event that theearlier-marked clip image data is OUT-point clip image data, the fiowproceeds to step S27.

In step S26, the earlier-marked IN-point clip image data is moved to theclip display area 28. That is, two IN-points have been marked in a row,so the earlier-marked clip image data is not used for an event but ismoved to the clip display area 28. Incidentally, at this time, secondmanagement record data for the clip image data moved to the clip displayarea 28 is generated, as shown in FIGS. 13 through 17.

On the other hand, in step S27, judgment is made whether or not an eventwas generated by the earlier-marked OUT-point clip image data. If thejudgment results show that an event has been generated by the earliermarking, the flow proceeds to step S29, and in the event that an eventhas not been generated by the earlier marking, the flow proceeds to stepS28.

In step S28, the OUT-point clip image data which had been displayed inthe OUT-clip display area 24 d by the earlier marking is moved to theclip display area 28. The reason is: though the OUT-point clip imagedata generated by the earlier marking was not used for an event, it maybe used in the future, so it is kept as a marking history.

Conversely, in step S29, the OUT-point clip image data which had beendisplayed in the OUT-clip display area 24 d is cleared. In this case,the OUT-point clip image data displayed in the OUT-clip display area 24d is already being used as the OUT-point for an event, and there is noneed for further display thereof.

On the other hand, in the event that the flow has proceeded to step S30because OUT-point marking has been detected by judgment in step S21,OUT-point clip image data is generated here. This OUT-point clip imagedata also is generated by reading the video data stored in the framememory 11 c into the VRAM 13 b. At this time as well, the amount of datais pruned to {fraction (1/16)} by means of reducing the number ofread-out samples, so clip image data with an image size of 95 pixels by60 pixels is generated.

In step S31, the OUT-clip image data stored in the storage area forOUT-display area of the VRAM 13 b is read out, and displayed on theOUT-clip display area 24 d.

In step S32, the CPU 10 judges whether or not the marking in step S21 isthe first OUT-point marking. If the judgment results show that this isthe first marking, the flow returns to step S21, and in the event thatit is second or later marking, the flow proceeds to step S33.

In step S33, the CPU 10 judges whether or not the earlier-marked clipimage data is IN-point clip image data or not. If the judgment resultsshow that the earlier-marked clip image data is IN-point clip imagedata, the flow proceeds to step S24, and in the event that theearlier-marked clip image data is OUT-point clip image data, the flowproceeds to step S36.

In step S34, the CPU 10 registers the section between the earlier-markedIN-point and the later-marked OUT-point as an event. Thus, with theediting system 1, marking of an IN-point and an OUT-point automaticallyregisters this section as an event. Incidentally, at this time, secondmanagement record data for the event is generated, as shown in FIGS. 13through 17.

In the next step S35, the IN-point clip image data of the generatedevent is copied to the event display area 29, and the clip image data isdisplayed on the event display area 29.

On the other hand, in step S36, the CPU 10 judges whether or not anevent has been generated by the earlier-marked OUT-point clip imagedata. If the judgment results show that an event has been generated bythe earlier-marked OUT-point clip image data, the flow proceeds to stepS38, and if an event has not been generated by the earlier marking, theflow proceeds to step S37.

In step S37, the OUT-point clip image data generated by the earliermarking is moved to the clip display area 28. The reason is: though theOUT-point clip image data generated by the earlier marking was not usedfor an event, it may be used in the future, so it is kept as a markinghistory.

Conversely, in step S38, the IN-point clip image data which had beendisplayed in the IN-clip display area 24 a is cleared. In this case, anevent has already been generated by the clip image data displayed in theIN-clip display area 24 a and by the earlier-marked OUT-point clip imagedata, so there is no need for further display thereof.

When the processing of step S26, step S28, step S29, step S35, step S37,or step S38 has ended, the CPU 10 proceeds to step S39, and judges herewhether or not to end the marking operation. In the event that themarking operation is to be continued, the flow returns to step S20 andrepeats the processing; in the event that the marking operation is toend, the flow proceeds to step S40 and ends the processing.

[Marking on the Replay Side]

Next, description will be made with reference to FIGS. 27 land 28regarding the case of marking video signals V3 replayed from the hybridrecorder 3 using the replay video marking area 27 while watching thevideo signals V6 to which effects are applied as necessary with thepicture effects device 6. First, this marking starts from a statewherein clip image data has already been stored. With the flow beginningat step S50, in step S51 the CPU 10 judges whether or not clip imagedata in the clip display area 28 has been specified. At this time, theCPU 10 judges that clip image data has been specified in the case thatthe mouse 2 d is double-clicked (a clicking operation performed twice insuccession) with the cursor in the clip image data display area 28 a. Ifthe judgment results show that clip image data has been specified, thespecified clip image data is displayed on the replay video marking area27 in the next step S52. That is, in the event that IN-point clip imagedata is specified it is displayed in the IN-clip display area 27 a, andin the event that OUT-point clip image data is specified it is displayedin the OUT-clip display area 27 d.

In the next step S53, the CPU 10 makes reference to the time code of thespecified clip image data, and a control command for still replay of thevideo data at that time code is sent to the external interface 18. Uponreceiving the control commands, the external interface 18 converts thereplay commands into a communication format according to the RS-422standard, and sends them to the hybrid recorder 3. The hybrid recorder 3makes reference to a correlation table for time codes and recordingaddresses based on the received time code, and reads the video data fromthe recording address position, thereby replaying the specified videodata. This video data is input to the picture effects device 6 as videosignals V3, and further is sent out to the second video processor 12within the computer 2 as video signals V6.

In the next step S54, the second video processor 12 extracts the timecode from the video signals V6, and also converts the video signals V6into digital component video data. The converted video data is input tothe frame memory 12 c within the second video processor 12, and istemporarily stored.

In the next step S55, the video data stored in the frame memory 12 c istransferred to the VRAM 13 b, having been reduced to 380 pixels by 240pixels.

In the next step S56, the replay video data stored in the VRAM 13 b isdisplayed on the replay video screen 23 a. In this case, the hybridrecorder 3 does not send real-time video data, but still video datacorresponding to the specified clip image data, so a still image isdisplayed on the replay video screen 23 a.

In the next step S57, the CPU 10 judges whether or not replay has beeninstructed for the still video data displayed on the replay video screen23 a. At this time, in the event that the preview button 32 is clickedin that state that the still video data is displayed on the replay videoscreen 23 a, the CPU 10 judges that replay has been instructed.

In the event that there has been a replay command, in the next step S58,the CPU 10 sends the start replay commands to the external interface 18.upon receiving these, the external interface 18 converts the startreplay commands into a communication format according to the RS-422standard, and sends them to the hybrid recorder 3. Thus, the hybridrecorder 3 reads video data in order from the recording addresscorresponding to the video data displayed on the replay video screen 23a, thereby generating replay video data following the video datadisplayed on the replay video screen 23 a. The replay video data isinput to the picture effects device 6 as video signals V3, and isfurther sent out to the second video processor 12 within the computer 2as video signals V6.

In step S59, the CPU judges whether or not marking has been performed.Judgment of whether or not marking has been performed is performed basedon whether the mouse 2 d has been clicked in a state wherein the cursoris positioned within the mark-IN button 27 c or mark-OUT button 27 f ofthe replay video marking area 27. At this time, an interruption commandis generated by the clicking operation of the mouse 2 d, so the CPU 10makes judgment regarding marking according to this interruption command.In the case that the mark-IN button 27 c is judged to have been clicked,judgment is made that an IN-point has been specified, and the flowproceeds to step S60; in the case that the mark-OUT button 27 f isjudged to have been clicked, judgment is made that an OUT-point has beenspecified, and the flow proceeds to step S63.

In step S60, IN-point clip image data is generated. This IN-point clipimage data is generated by reading the video data stored in the framememory 12 c into the VRAM 13 b. At this time, the amount of data ispruned to {fraction (1/16)} by means of reducing the number of read-outsamples, so clip image data with an image size of 95 pixels by 60 pixelsis generated. In the next step S61, the IN-clip image data stored in thestorage area for IN-clip display area of the VRAM 13 b is read out, anddisplayed on the IN-clip display area 27 a.

In step S62, the IN-point clip image data marked earlier and displayedin the IN-clip display area 27 a is moved to the clip display area 28.Incidentally, in the event that no marking has been made beforehand, andthere is no clip image data displayed in the IN-clip display area 27 a,this process is not performed. When the processing of this step S62ends, the CPU 10 proceeds to step S70.

On the other hand, in the event that the flow proceeds to step S63 forOUT-point marking, OUT-point clip image data is generated here. ThisOUT-point clip image data also is generated by reading the video datastored in the frame memory 12 c into the VRAM 13 b. At this time also,the amount of data is pruned to {fraction (1/16)} by means of reducingthe number of read-out samples, so clip image data with an image size of95 pixels by 60 pixels is generated. In step S64, the OUT-clip imagedata stored in the storage area for OUT-clip display area of the VRAM 13b is read out, and displayed on the OUT-clip display area 27 d.

In step S65, the CPU 10 judges whether or not the earlier-marked clipimage data is IN-point clip image data or not. If the judgment resultsshow that the earlier-marked clip image data is IN-point clip imagedata, the flow proceeds to step S66, and in the event that theearlier-marked clip image data is OUT-point clip image data, the flowproceeds to step S37. In step S66, the CPU 10 makes judgment whether ornot to register this as a new event. This judgment is made based on theclicking operation of the new event button 33. In the event that the newevent button 33 is clicked and event registration is specified, the flowproceeds to step S68, and in the event that the new event button 33 isnot clicked and event registration is not specified, the flow proceedsto step S67.

In step S68, the CPU 10 registers the section between the IN-point andthe OUT-point as an event. Thus, with the editing system 1, marking ofan IN-point and an OUT-point followed by the clicking operation of thenew event button 33 automatically registers the section between theIN-point and the OUT-point as an event. Incidentally, at this time,second management record data for the event is generated, as shown inFIGS. 13 through 17.

In the next step S69, the IN-point clip image data of the generatedevent is copied to the event display area 29, and the clip image data isdisplayed on the event display area 29. When this process is completed,the CPU 10 proceeds to the next step S70.

On the other hand, in the event that the clip image data generated bythe earlier marking was OUT-point clip image data and consequently theflow proceeded to step S67, the OUT-point clip image data generated bythe earlier marking is moved to the clip display area 28. Incidentally,in the event that no marking has been made beforehand, and there is noclip image data displayed in the OUT-clip display area 27 d, thisprocess is not performed. When the processing of this step ends, the CPU10 proceeds to step S70.

In step S70, the CPU 10 makes judgment whether or not stopping playingthe video data displayed in the replay video screen 23 a has beeninstructed. This judgment is made based on whether the still button 408of the dedicated controller 2 e has been pressed or not. In the eventthat stopping playing has not been instructed, the flow returns to stepS59 and repeats the processing, and in the event that stopping playinghas been instructed, the flow proceeds to the next step S71. In stepS71, the CPU 10 sends stop replay commands to the external interface 18.Upon receiving the stop replay commands, the external interface 18converts the stop recording commands into a communication formataccording to RS-422 standards, and sends them to the hybrid recorder 3.The hybrid recorder 3 then ends the reading operation of the video data,thus stopping the replay operation. When the processing of this step S71ends, the CPU 10 proceeds to step S72 and ends the marking process.

[Trimming]

Next, description will be made with reference to the flowchart shown inFIG. 29 regarding the process of specifying a generated event andchanging the IN-point or OUT-point, i.e., so-called trimming. Thisflowchart starts from the state wherein the event is already generated.

With the flow beginning at step S80, in step S81 the CPU 10 judgeswhether or not clip image data in the image display area 29 has beenspecified. At this time, the CPU 10 judges that the clip image data hasbeen specified in the case that the mouse 2 d is double-clicked (aclicking operation performed twice in succession) with the cursor in theclip image data display area 29 a. If the judgment results show thatclip image data has been specified, in the next step S82 CPU 10 makesreference to the time code of the specified clip image data, and acontrol command for still replay of the video data at that time code issent to the hybrid recorder 3 via the external interface 18. The hybridrecorder 3 replays the specified video data based on the replaycommands, thereby generating replayed video data. Consequently, replayedvideo data corresponding to specified clip image data is displayed onthe replay video screen 23 a.

In the next step S83, the CPU 10 judges whether the shuttle button 411of the dedicated controller 2 e has been pressed or not. In the eventthat the shuttle button 411 has been pressed, the flow proceeds to thenext step S84, and here the CPU 10 judges whether the search dial 400 ofthe dedicated controller 2 e has been rotated or not. In the event thatthe search dial 400 has been rotated, the flow proceeds to step S85, andthe CPU 10 calculates the direction and distance that the search dial400 has moved. Then the CPU 10 calculates the time code of the specifiedvideo data based on the calculated direction and distance, and the timecode of the video data currently displayed on the replay video screen 23a. Specifically, in the event that the direction of rotation is to theright, the time code of the specified video data is calculated by addingtime code corresponding with the amount of distance to the time code ofthe video data currently displayed; and in the event that the directionof rotation is to the left, the time code of the specified video data iscalculated by subtracting time code corresponding with the amount ofdistance from the time code of the video data currently displayed.

In step S86, the CPU 10 sends replay commands to the hybrid recorder 3via the external interface 18 in order to replay the video data at thecalculated time code.

In step S87, the hybrid recorder 3 replays the video data at thespecified time code based on these replay commands, and thus the replayvideo data of the specified time code is displayed on the replay videoscreen 23 a.

In step S88, the CPU 10 judges whether or not marking has beenperformed. Judgment of whether or not marking has been performed isperformed based on whether the mouse 2 d has been clicked in a statewherein the cursor is positioned within the mark-IN button 27 c ormark-OUT button 27 f of the replay video marking area 27. In the casethat one of the mark-IN button 27 c or mark-OUT button 27 f is judged tohave been clicked, the flow proceeds to step S89. If neither has beenclicked, the flow returns to step S83 and repeats the processing.

In step S89, marked clip image data is generated. This clip image datais generated by reading the video data stored in the frame memory 12 cinto the VRAM 13 b. At this time, the amount of data is pruned to{fraction (1/16)} by means of reducing the number of read-out samples,so clip image data with an image size of 95 pixels by 60 pixels isgenerated.

In step S90, the clip image data stored in the VRAM 13 b is read out,and displayed on the IN-clip display area 27 a or the OUT-clip displayarea 27 d of the replay video marking area 27. Specifically, in theevent that IN-clip marking has been made, the clip image data isdisplayed on the IN-clip display area 27 a, and in the event thatOUT-clip marking has been made, the clip image data is displayed on theOUT-clip display area 27 d.

In step S91, the CPU 10 judges whether or not the new event button 33has been pressed. Judgment of whether or not the new event button 33 hasbeen pressed is performed based on whether the mouse 2 d has beenclicked in a state wherein the cursor is positioned over the new eventbutton 33. In the event that the new event button 33 has been clickedthe flow proceeds to step S92, and in the event that the new eventbutton 33 has not been clicked the flow proceeds to step S94.

In step S92, the IN-point or OUT-point is replaced with clip image datamarked in step S88, and this is registered as a new event. For example,in the event that judgment is made that in step S88 an IN-point wasmarked, the section between that IN-point and the already-registeredOUT-point are registered as a new event; in the event that judgment ismade that in step S88 an OUT-point was marked, the section between thatOUT-point and the already-registered IN-point are registered as a newevent. Incidentally, at this time, second management record data for theevent is generated, as shown in FIGS. 13 through 17.

In the next step S93, the clip image data for the new IN-point for thenew event is displayed in the event display area 29. When this processis ended, the CPU 10 proceeds to the next step S97 and ends the trimmingprocess.

On the other hand, in the event that the flow proceeds to step S94because the new event button 33 has not been pressed, the CPU 10 judgeswhether or not the replace button 35 has been pressed. Judgment ofwhether or not the replace button 35 has been pressed is performed basedon whether the mouse 2 d has been clicked in a state wherein the cursoris positioned over the replace button 35. In the event that the replacebutton 35 has been clicked the flow proceeds to step S95, and in theevent that the replace button 35 has not been clicked the flow returnsto step S83 and repeats the process.

In step S95, the IN-point or OUT-point is replaced with clip image datajudged to have been marked in step S88. At this time, only the contentsof the second management record data for the event are replaced with theclip image data of the marked IN-point or OUT-point, so a new event isnot registered, rather, the contents of the old event are simplyupdated.

In the next step S96, the clip image data for the IN-point for theupdated event is displayed at the original position in the event displayarea 29. When this process is ended, the CPU 10 proceeds to the nextstep S97 and ends the trimming process.

[Pre-roll]

Next, description will be made with reference to FIGS. 30 and 31regarding the pre-rolling operation for automatically starting replayoperation from a position reaching back by a certain amount of time froma specified marking point, so as to correct the marking point.Incidentally, the flowcharts start from a state wherein the hybridrecorder 3 has started the recording operation of video signals V1 andvideo signals V2 are displayed on the recorded video screen 21 a.

First, starting with step S100, in step S101, the CPU 10 judges whetheror not activation of the pre-roll mode has been set or not. Thisjudgment is made based on whether the pre-roll button 22 e in the timingdisplay area 22 has already been clicked and activation of the pre-rollmode has been specified.

In the next step S102, the CPU 10 judges whether or not theabove-described cue-up time serving as the pre-roll time has beenalready set in the preferences settings or not. This judgment is madebased on whether cue-up time is stored in the storage area forpreferences settings data in the RAM 10 b or not. In the event that thejudgment shows that activation of the pre-roll mode has been specifiedand the pre-roll time has been set, the CPU 10 proceeds to the next stepS103.

In step S103, the CPU 10 judges whether or not the mark-IN button 24 cin the recorded video marking area 24 has been clicked and IN-pointmarking has been performed. In the event that judgment is made that anIN-point has been marked, the flow proceeds to step S104 where IN-pointclip image data is generated. This clip image data is generated byreading the video data stored in the frame memory 11 c into the VRAM 13b. At this time, the amount of data is pruned to {fraction (1/16)} bymeans of reducing the number of read-out samples, so clip image datawith an image size of 95 pixels by 60 pixels is generated.

In step S105, the video data stored in the VRAM 13 b is read out anddisplayed in the IN-clip display area 24 a of the recorded video markingarea 24. Next, in step S106, the CPU 10 calculates the time-code forcue-up. Specifically, the CPU 10 makes reference to the time code of thespecified IN-point clip image data, and also makes reference to the setcue-up time, and thereby calculates the time code for a position shiftedfrom the specified IN-point by the amount of cue-up time (i.e., thereplay start position).

In the next step S107, the CPU 10 sends start replay commands forreplaying the video data in real-time from the position of thecalculated time code to the external interface 18. Upon receiving these,the external interface 18 converts the start replay commands into acommunication format according to the RS-422 standard, and sends them tothe hybrid recorder 3. Thus, the hybrid recorder 3 sequentially readsvideo data in order from the recording address corresponding to thespecified time code, thereby generating replay video data starting fromthe specified time code. The replay video data is input to the pictureeffects device 6 as video signals V3, and is further sent out to thesecond video processor 12 within the computer 2 as video signals V6.

In the next step S108, the second video processor 12 extracts the timecode from the video signals V6, and also converts the video signals V6into digital component video data. The converted video data is input tothe frame memory 12 c within the second video processor 12, and istemporarily stored.

In step S109, the video data stored in the frame memory 12 c istransferred to the VRAM 13 b, having been reduced to 380 pixels by 240pixels.

In step S110, the replay video data stored in the VRAM 13 b is displayedon the replay video screen 23 a. Thus, re al-time replay video datastarting from a position reaching back by the cue-up time from theIN-point specified by the operator is displayed on the replay videoscreen 23 a.

In the next step S111, the CPU 10 judges whether or not marking has beenperformed. Judgment of whether or not marking has been performed isperformed based on whether the mouse 2 d has been clicked in a statewherein the cursor is positioned within the mark-IN button 27 c ormark-OUT button 27 f of the replay video marking area 27. In the casethat the mark-IN button 27 c is judged to have been clicked, judgment ismade that an IN-point has been specified, and the flow proceeds to stepS112; in the case that the mark-OUT button 27 f is judged to have beenclicked, judgment is made that an OUT-point has been specified, and theflow proceeds to step S115.

In step S112, IN-point clip image data is generated. This clip imagedata is generated by reading the video data stored in the frame memory12 c into the VRAM 13 b. At this time, the amount of data is pruned to{fraction (1/16)} by means of reducing the number of read-out samples,so clip image data with an image size of 95 pixels by 60 pixels isgenerated. In step S113, the video data stored in the VRAM 13 b is readout and displayed in the IN-clip display area 27 a. In step S114, theIN-point clip image data marked earlier and displayed in the IN-clipdisplay area 27 a is moved to the clip display area 28. Incidentally, inthe event that no marking has been made beforehand, and there is no clipimage data displayed in the IN-clip display area 27 a, this process isnot performed. When the processing of step S114 ends, the CPU 10proceeds to step S122.

On the other hand, in the event that the flow proceeds to step S115 forOUT-point marking, OUT-point clip image data is generated. This clipimage data also is generated by reading the video data stored in theframe memory 12 c into the VRAM 13 b. At this time also, the amount ofdata is pruned to {fraction (1/16)} by means of reducing the number ofread-out samples, so clip image data with an image size of 95 pixels by60 pixels is generated. In step S116, the video data stored in the VRAM13 b is read out and displayed in the OUT-clip display area 27 d.

In step S117, the CPU 10 judges whether or not the earlier-marked clipimage data is IN-point clip image data or not. If the judgment resultsshow that the earlier-marked clip image data is IN-point clip imagedata, the flow proceeds to step S118, and in the event that theearlier-marked clip image data is OUT-point clip image data, the flowproceeds to step S119.

In step S118, the CPU 10 makes judgment whether or not to register thisas a new event. This judgment is made based on the clicking operation ofthe new event button 33. in the event that the new event button 33 isclicked and event registration is specified, the flow proceeds to stepS120, and in the event that the new event button 33 is not clicked andevent registration is not specified, the flow proceeds to step S119.

In step S120, the CPU 10 registers the section between the IN-point andthe OUT-point as an event. Incidentally, at this time, second managementrecord data for the event is generated, as shown in FIGS. 13 through 17.In the next step S121, the IN-point clip image data of the generatedevent is copied to the event display area 29, and the clip image data isdisplayed on the event display area 29. When this process is completed,the CPU 10 proceeds to the next step S122.

On the other hand, in the event that the clip image data generated bythe earlier marking was OUT-point clip image data and consequently theflow proceeded to step S119, the OUT-point clip image data generated bythe earlier marking is moved to the clip display area 28. Incidentally,in the event that no marking has been made beforehand, and there is noclip image data displayed in the OUT-clip display area 27 d, thisprocess is not performed. When the processing of step S119 ends, the CPU10 proceeds to step S122.

In step S122, the CPU 10 makes judgment whether or not stopping playingthe video data displayed in the replay video screen 23 a has beeninstructed. In the event that stopping playing has not been instructed,the flow returns to step S111 and repeats the processing, and in theevent that stopping playing has been instructed, the flow proceeds tothe next step S123.

In step S123, the CPU 10 sends stop replay commands to the externalinterface 18. Upon receiving the stop recording commands, the externalinterface 18 sends them to the hybrid recorder 3. The hybrid recorder 3then ends the reading operation of the video data, thus stopping thereplay operation. When the processing of this step S123 ends, the CPU 10proceeds to step S124 and ends the pre-roll process.

[Creating Programs]

Next, description will be made with reference to the flowchart in FIG.32 regarding the processing for using events to create a program.Incidentally, the flowcharts start from a state wherein events havealready been generated. First, starting with step S130, in step S131,the CPU 10 judges whether or not an event has been specified. At thistime, the CPU 10 judges that an event has been specified in the casethat the mouse 2 d is double-clicked (a clicking operation performedtwice in succession) with the cursor in the clip image data display area29 a of the event display area.

If the judgment results show that the event has been specified, in thenext step S132 the CPU 10 places the specified event in an active state,i.e., a movable state.

In the next step S133, the CPU 10 judges whether or not the cursor hasbeen moved with the mouse 2 d button clicked, i.e., whether or not ithas been dragged. If the judgment results show that it has been dragged,the direction and distance of movement of the cursor is calculated inthe next step S134. In the next step S135, the display position of theclip image data of the specified event is changed based on thecalculated direction and distance. Incidentally, the processing fromstep S133 to step S135 is performed rapidly, so it appears on themonitor 2 b as if the clip image data of the event is moving with thecursor.

In step S136, the CPU 10 judges whether or not the clicked button of themouse 2 d has been released or not, i.e., whether the click has beendisengaged. If the judgment results show that the click has not beendisengaged, the flow returns to step S133 and repeats the processing;but if the judgment results show that the click has been disengaged, theflow proceeds to step S137 and the position at which the click wasdisengaged is calculated.

In step S138, the CPU 10 judges whether or not there are any otherevents displayed to the right of the display position of the eventspecified by this cursor position. In the event that the judgmentresults show that there are other events displayed to the right, theflow proceeds to step S139, and in the event that the judgment resultsshow that there are no other events displayed to the right, the flowproceeds to step S140.

In step S139, the CPU 10 shifts the display positions of the eventsdisplayed to the right thereof further to the right, so that thespecified event can be inserted. Once this is completed, the CPUproceeds to step S140.

In step S140, the CPU 10 displays the clip image data of the specifiedevent at the position on the program display area 30 specified by thecursor. In step 141, the CPU 10 updates the data contents of the secondmanagement record data in accordance with the insertion of the event instep S140. Specifically, the pointer portion within the secondmanagement record data linked to the data before or behind is corrected.Incidentally, there is no second management record data for anewly-inserted event, so one is newly generated.

When this processing ends, the CPU proceeds to the next step 142 andcreates an editing list, further proceeds to the next step 143 andjudges whether or not to continue the program creating process. In theevent of continuing the program creating process, the flow returns tostep S131, and in the event of ending the program creating process, theflow proceeds to step S144 and ends the processing.

Thus, in the course of arraying certain events in the program displayarea 30, selecting certain effects from the picture effects set-up area25 and inserting them to the certain positions as described withreference to FIG. 14, effects can be applied to the events.

Now, the picture effects set-up area 25 will be described with referenceto FIG. 33. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 33, the picture effects set-uparea 25 has buttons 25 a through 25 m, buttons 25 n-1 through 25 n-10,and a button 25 p. The buttons 25 a through 25 m are buttons operatedwhen setting certain effects that have been prepared beforehand. In thepresent example, button 25 a corresponds with the effect “Wipe”, button25 b with “Mix”, button 25 c with “Mosaic”, button 25 d with “P-in-P”(Picture-in-Picture), button 25 e with “Page Turn”, button 25 f with“DSK”, button 25 g with “Modify”, button 25 h with “Cut”, button 25 iwith “Slide”, button 25 j with “Flip/Tumble”, button 25 k with “2-D”,and button 25 m with “3-D”.

Wipe is an effect which erases an old image as it were being wiped away,and inserting a new image instead. Mix is an effect which fades out anold image and fades in a new one. Mosaic is an effect which gives theimage a mosaic look. Picture-in-Picture is an effect which displays areduced image within another larger image. Page Turn is an effect whichswitches from an old image to a new image as if turning a page. DSK isan effect for inserting characters and shapes into an image which hasalready been subjected to effects.

Modify is an effect which performs actions such as sectioning the imagehorizontally or vertically, making mirror images, enlarging one portionof the image over the entire screen, providing spotlight effects, and soforth. Cut is an effect which switches an old image with a new imageinstantly. Slide is an effect which slides a new image onto the screenover the old image from one side of the screen. 2-D is an effect whichrotates the image two-dimensionally, and 3-D is an effect which rotatesthe image three-dimensionally.

The buttons 25 n-1 through 25 n-10 are buttons to which effects atpreset values are registered beforehand by the user. Accordingly,operating a button 25 n-i brings up the effects set thereto beforehand.

The button 25 p is a direct button, and pressing this button displays apull-down direct effects operating window (described later withreference to FIG. 46).

Now, making reference to the flowchart in FIG. 34, description will bemade regarding the process of the user appropriating the set certaineffects to the buttons 25 n-1 through 25 n-10. In the case ofappropriating certain effects to one of the buttons 25 n-1 through 25n-10, the user selects a button in the picture effects set-up area 25for which effects have been set, and drags it for example, the Wipebutton 25 a can be turned on, and the parameters thereof set, asdescribed later. In the event of using the wipe effects based on the setparameters, the button 25 a is used thereafter, but in the event theuser desires to use wipe effects based on parameters set to other values(i.e., in the case the user uses two or more types of wipes according tosituation), the first wipe effect of which the parameter values havebeen set to a certain value can be appropriated to the button 25 n-1,for example. Thus, in the case of using first wipe which has been set tothese values, the button 25 n-1 can be used. The button 25 a can be usedfor a second wipe with the values thereof set to other values.

To this end, effects that have been set to the button 25 a areappropriated to the button 25 n-1 by operating the mouse 2 d so as todrag and drop the button 25 a on top of the button 25 n-1. Accordingly,in step S161, the CPU 10 waits until the button to which the effects areregistered is dragged, and in the event that it is dragged, the flowproceeds to step S162, and judges whether or not the button of the mouse2 d has been released. In the event that the button of the mouse 2 d hasbeen released, the flow proceeds to step S163, and judges whether or notthe position at which the button of the mouse 2 d was released is over abutton to which effects can be appropriated, i.e., over one of thebuttons 25 n-1 through 25 n-10. In the event that the button of themouse 2 d was released at a position other than over one of the buttons25 n-1 through 25 n-10, the appropriating process cannot be conducted sothe flow returns to step S161.

In step S163, in the event that the button of the mouse 2 d was released(dropped) at a position over one of the buttons 25 n-1 through 25 n-10,the flow proceeds to step S164, and the effects set to the button beingdragged are appropriated to the button on which it was dropped. Forexample in the event that button 25 a is dragged and dropped on button25 n-1, the effects set to the button 25 are appropriated to the button25 n-1.

Next, description will be made with reference to the flowchart shown inFIG. 35 regarding the setting processing for dragging and droppingcertain effects setting clip image data on top of the program displayarea 30, thereby adding effects to a certain event.

First, in step S201, the flow waits until one of the buttons 25 athrough 25 p or buttons 25 n-1 through 25 n-10 in the picture effectsset-up area 25 is pressed. In step S201, in the event that judgment ismade that one of the buttons in the picture effects set-up area 25 hasbeen pressed, the flow proceeds to step S202, and the CPU 10 displays adialog corresponding to the button operated at this time. For example,in the event that the Wipe button 25 a has been operated, a pull downdisplay of an effects set-up dialog box such as shown in FIG. 36 comesup. The display portion 701 of this dialog box displays the name of theeffects corresponding to the effects set-up dialog box. In this case,the Wipe button 25 a has been operated, so the word “Wipe” is displayedhere. In the event that the Mix button 25 b or the Mosaic button 25 chad been operated, the display portion 701 of this dialog box would havedisplayed the word “Mix” or “Mosaic”.

The display portion 702 shows the direction in which the effect is to beapplied. Selecting “Normal” causes the effect to be applied followingthe flow of time, and selecting “Reverse” causes the effect to beapplied countering the flow of time. The display portion 703 displaysthe No. of a pattern selected from the effect patterns displayed on thedisplay portion 704. The display portion 704 shows 12 types of wipepatterns, in this case. Operating the slide button 705 allows theoperator to display on the display portion 704 patterns not displayedhere. The user selects a desired pattern by clicking on it with themouse 2 d. The No. of the pattern thus selected is displayed on thedisplay portion 703.

The display portion 706 displays the duration of the effect (from startto end of the effect) for setting the number of frames. The user selectsone of the following to directly set the number of frames: 10, 15, 30,45, or 60. Or, the user can operate the slide button 708 and the quickbuttons 709 and 710 to display an arbitrary number of frames on thedisplay portion 707, and set this number. The preview button 711 isoperated for setting the various parameters and confirming the actualchange the parameters cause.

The cancel button 713 is operated when canceling the set parameters, andthe OK button is operated when the setting of the parameters has beencompleted. The details button 712 is operated when setting even moredetailed effects parameters. In the event that the details button 712has been operated, a pull-down display of an effects detailed settingsdialog box such as shown in FIG. 37 comes up.

The effects detailed settings dialog box shown in FIG. 37 displaysparameters relating to the edge in the display portion 721. The types ofedges from which selection can be made are “border” and “soft”. Providedbelow the display portion 722 are a slide button 723 and scroll button723. Operating these with the mouse 2 d and positioning the slide button723 at the certain position allows the width of the edge to be set to acertain value. The check-box 725 is used for selecting the color of theborder. Checking the check-box 725 displays a Color Picker dialog box(not shown), and the user can thus select the color of the border. Thecheck button 721 a is operated when validating the display settings madein the display portion 721.

The display portion 731 displays parameters relating to backgroundpattern and background color matte separate from the background orforeground at the time executing the effects. The display portion 732displays parameters for the background, and the display portion 733displays matte pattern Nos.

The display portion 741 displays parameters for effects control. In thisexample, the effect parameter names are displayed in the display portion744, and the parameter by that name can be set to certain values byoperating the slide button 742 or the scroll button 743. In thisexample, unique parameter settings can be made for the selected effect.

The display portion 751 displays the parameters for “Crop” which makesthe picture frame smaller so that only a portion of the image is visibleat the time of executing the effects, and the parameters are set here.Settings can be made in the display portion 752 regarding whether toinvert (ON) the crop area or to not invert (OFF) the crop area. The leftedge of the crop area can be set using the slide button 753 and thescroll button 754, the right edge of the crop area can be set using theslide button 758 and the scroll button 759, the top of the crop area canbe set using the slide button 755 and the scroll button 756, and thebottom of the crop area can be set using the slide button 760 and thescroll button 761. The check button 751 a is operated when validatingthe display settings made in the display portion 751.

The display portion 770 displays buttons for inputting the X-Y-Zcoordinates. The X-coordinates are input using the slide button 771 andthe scroll button 772, the Y-coordinates are input using the slidebutton 773 and the scroll button 774, and the Z-coordinates (size) areinput using the slide button 775 and the scroll button 776. This inputis performed in the case the selected effect pattern calls forcoordinates settings.

Further, the OK button 783 is operated in the case of finalizing the seteffects, the cancel button 782 is operated in the case of canceling theset parameters, and the preview button 781 is operated in the case ofconfirming the set parameters.

Returning to the description for FIG. 35: setting the parameters asdescribed above using the effects set-up dialog box or effects detailedsettings dialog box shown in FIG. 36 and 37 stores the set parameters inthe RAM 10 b of the CPU 10 in step S203.

Also, as described above, effects corresponding to set parameters can becorrelated with the button 25 n-1 by means of, e.g., turning the wipebutton on, displaying the effects set-up dialog box shown in FIG. 36,and if further necessary operating the detail button 712 to bring up theeffects detailed settings dialog box shown in 37 where certainparameters are set, following which the button 25 a is dragged to thebutton 25 n-1 and dropped. Thus, the button 25 n-1 can be dragged anddropped at positions in the program display area 30 in the same manneras the buttons 25 a through 25 m, thereby setting that effect on theprogram.

After such setting is performed, the flow waits in step S204 until abutton in the picture effects setting area 25 is dragged, and when abutton is operated the flow proceeds to step S250, and the direction anddistance of the movement of the cursor is calculated by the CPU 10. Instep S206, the CPU 10 moves the display position of the specifiedeffects set-up clip image data.

For example, as shown in FIG. 33, in the event that the cursor ispositioned over the button 25 n-1 (the button with the number “1”), andthe mouse 2 d is clicked and dragged, a frame 30E-1 of the effectsset-up clip image data is displayed around the cursor, and the frame30E-1 moves over the positions 30E-2, 30E-3, and so forth, according tothe dragging.

In step S207, the current position of the cursor is calculated, and inthe event that the current position is within the program display area30, the cursor is changed to alform such as shown in FIG. 38 indicatingbetween which pieces of clip image data on the program display area 30that insertion is to be made.

That is, as shown in FIG. 39A, in the event that the center of the frame30E of the effects set-up clip image data corresponding to the draggedeffects is closest to the border between the clip image data 30 a 2 and30 a 3, the cursor is changed to point from the center toward thedirection of the border between the clip image data 30 a 2 and clipimage data 30 a 3. Conversely, as shown in FIG. 39B, in the event thatthe center of the frame 30E is closest to the border between the clipimage data 30 a 1 and 30 a 2, the cursor is changed to point from thecenter toward the direction of the border therebetween.

The above principles are summarized in FIG. 40. That is, the form of thecursor is changed so as to point from the center toward the closestborder. Accordingly the user can know wherein the frame 30E will beinserted if he/she cancels the drag at that point and drops the frame30E, i.e., whether it will be inserted between the clip image data 30 a2 and clip image data 30 a 3 or between the clip image data 30 a 1 andclip image data 30 a 2.

Next, the flow proceeds to step S208 in S35, where judgment is madewhether or not the button of the mouse 2 d has been released; in theevent that it has not been released, the flow returns to step S204 andsubsequent processing is repeated. in the event that judgment is made instep S208 that the button of the mouse 2 d has been released, the flowproceeds to step S209, where the position of the cursor at the time itwas release is calculated, and in step S210, judgment is made whether ornot the center of the frame 30E corresponding to the effects set-up clipimage data is close to the right side border portion of the clip imagedata at which the center thereof is (e.g., clip image data 30 a 2 inFIG. 39).

In the event that the center of the frame 30E is close to the right sideborder portion of the clip image data as shown in FIG. 39A, the flowproceeds to step S211, the clip image data 30 a 3 displayed to the rightside of that clip image data 30 a 2 is moved to the right by one clip,and the effects set-up clip image data corresponding to the frame 30E isinserted into the position where the clip image data had been.Conversely, in the event that the center of the frame 30E is close tothe left side border portion of the clip image data as shown in FIG.39B, the flow proceeds to step S212, the clip image data 30 a 2 is movedto the right by one clip, and the effects set-up clip image datacorresponding to the frame 30E is inserted into the position where theclip image data 30 a 2 had been.

Next, the flow proceeds to step S213, and processing for updating themanagement record data is executed. That is, in the case of FIG. 39A,the second management record data of the effects set-up clip image data30A1 is linked to the second management record data of the clip imagedata 30 a 2, and further, the second management record data of the clipimage data 30 a 3 is linked to the second management record data of theeffects set-up clip image data 30A1.

Conversely, in the case of FIG. 39B, the second management record dataof the effects set-up clip image data 30A1 is linked to the secondmanagement record data of the clip image data 30 a 1, and further, thesecond management record data of the clip image data 30 a 2 is linked tothe second management record data of the effects set-up clip image data30A1.

The flow further proceeds to step S214, judgment is made whether or notto continue the program creating process, and in the event ofcontinuing, the flow returns to step S201, and the subsequent processingis repeated. In the event that the program creating process is not to becontinued, the processing ends.

Next, description will be made with reference to the flowchart in FIG.41 regarding sub-screen area adjusting processing when makingPicture-in-Picture settings, i.e., as shown in FIG. 41, regarding theprocess of adjusting the display position of the small sub-screendisplayed at a certain position on the large main screen, within thereplay video screen 23 a.

First, in step S231, the user presses the Picture-in-Picture button 25 din the picture effects setting area 25, which displays an effects set-updialog box such as shown in FIG. 36. In this case, thePicture-in-Picture button 25 d has been clicked, so the word “P-in-P” isdisplayed in the display portion 701. Next, in step S232, the useroperates the details button 712 of the effects set-up dialog box, whichdisplays an effects detailed settings dialog box such as shown in FIG.37.

Further, in step S233, judgment is made whether or not the effect to beset is Picture-in-Picture. In the event that the effect to be set isother than Picture-in-Picture, the flow proceeds to step S245, and thesetting process of the corresponding effect is carried out.

Conversely, in the event that the effect to be set isPicture-in-Picture, the user performs the setting processes as describedabove such as setting the display coordinates for Picture-in-Picture inthe location display portion 700 and so forth, following which the OKbutton 783 is clicked. At this time, the CPU 10 overlays aPicture-in-Picture sub-screen area setting bar “BAR 1” on the displayvideo screen 23 a at the position corresponding to the settings, asshown in FIG. 42.

Next, the flow proceeds to step S235, and waits for thePicture-in-Picture sub-screen area within the bar “BAR 1” to be dragged.In the event that dragging is executed, judgment is made in the stepsS236, S238, and S240, whether the corner BAR_(c) has been dragged (stepS236), whether the side BAR_(L) has been dragged (step S238), or whetherthe internal BAR_(R) has been dragged (step S240).

In the event that it is judged that the corner BAR_(c) has been draggedin step S236, the flow proceeds to step S237, the coordinates of thedragged mouse cursor are calculated, and the size of thePicture-in-Picture area is changed according to the calculation results(i.e., the size of the bar “BAR 1” is changed. In the event that it isjudged that the side BAR_(L) has been dragged in step S238, the flowproceeds to step S239, and the size of the border width of the bar “BAR1” is changed according to the calculation results of the draggedcursor. In the event that it is judged that the interior BAR_(R) hasbeen dragged in step S240, the flow proceeds to step S241, and thecenter of the area is moved according to the dragged position. In theevent that what was dragged was neither the corner BAR_(c), sideBAR_(L), nor the internal BAR_(R), the flow returns from step S240 tostep S236. That is, it is considered to be a mistaken operation, and noparticular processing is executed.

Incidentally, a value input by directly operating the bar “BAR 1” withthe mouse 2 d is also reflected in the display of the effects detailedsettings dialog box 770 in FIG. 37.

Thus, operating the effects detailed settings dialog box allows the userto change the Picture-in-Picture sub-screen area settings, but thePicture-in-Picture sub-screen area settings can also be changed byoperating the cursor on the replay video screen 13 a, as well.Accordingly, the user can watch the main screen and appropriately set anoptimal position for the sub-screen.

After the processing in the steps S237, S239, and S241, the flowproceeds to step S242 and judges whether or not the OK button 714 in theeffects set-up dialog box has been clicked or not. In the event that theOK button has not been clicked, the flow returns to step S235, andsubsequent processing is repeated. In the event that the OK button hasbeen judged to have been pressed, the flow proceeds to step S243, and aprocess for saving the parameter settings for Picture-in-Picture isexecuted. That is, these parameter values are saved in the RAM 10 b ofthe CPU 10.

Incidentally, this processing can be applied in the later-described(with reference to FIG. 47) case of adjusting the ratio of script.

With reference to FIG. 42, operating the main button 23 b or the subbutton 23 c allows the user to switch the image displayed as the mainscreen on the replay video screen 23 a between the image output by themain hybrid recorder 3 a and the sub main hybrid recorder 3 b. In theevent that the M/E button 23 d is operated, post-picture effectsprocessing images without DSK pictures are displayed as the main screen.In the event that the DFS button 23 e has been operated, allpost-picture effects processing images including DSK pictures aredisplayed. The GSM (Good Shot Marker) button 23 f is operated in thecase of searching for image data with a Good Shot Marker writtentherein, and displaying it. That is, after operating of the GSM button23 f, the user operating the scroll button 23 fa searches the Good ShotMarker of the image data registered beforehand in a hard disk of thehybrid recorder 3, and images are displayed from a position reachingback from the Good Shot Marker by the cue-time.

Next, with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 43, description will bemade regarding the mask area adjusting process at the time of settingDSK. First, in step S261, the user operates the DSK button 25 f (FIG.33) of the image effects display area 25, and displays a DSK set-updialog box such as shown in FIG. 44. As shown in this Figure, with thisDSK set-up dialog box, the downstream key mode setting can be set to ONor OFF in the DSK switch display portion 851. In the event that thedownstream key (DSK) mode has been set, characters and shapes can befurther inserted into the image to which effects have been applied.

A check button 852 a provided to the border display portion 852, andthis check button 852 a is operated when validating the parametersettings made in the border display portion 852. The display portion 853is capable of displaying and setting the type of border. The types ofborders available are: wide border, narrow border, drop border, anddouble border, which is a combination of e.g., a narrow border and dropborder.

In the display portion 855, the border position can be selected anddisplayed in the event that a drop border or double border has beenselected. The position is selected from the following: upper left, upperright, lower right, lower left.

The check-box 854 is clicked in the event of setting the border color.In the event that the check-box 854 is clicked, a color picker dialogbox for setting various types of colors comes up. The user sets theborder color as necessary, using the color picker dialog box.

The key display portion 860 can be used to perform settings regardingclick key operating signals for the characters or shapes to be inserted,or key fill signals for filling in the portions cut out by the keysource signals. The display portion 861 can be used to specify usinginternal signals or external signals for the key source signals. At thedisplay portion 862, according to whether the key source signal is blackor white (i.e., the polarity of the signal), “none” is selected in theevent that white characters are to be cut out of a black background andinserted, and “invert” is selected in the event that black charactersare to be cut out of a white background and inserted. The key fillsignal to be used is specified at the display portion 863. As for thekey fill signal, one of the following is selected and specified: DSKVIDEO (the fill signal input from the DSK FILL IN terminal shown in FIG.4), DSK MAT (internally generated DSK matte), SELF (image data read fromthe floppy disk 742 shown in FIG. 4), or none (i.e., no fill signal.Only the borders of the characters or shapes are inserted).

In the event that DSK MAT is specified at the display portion 863, thecheck-box 864 is used for displaying the color picker dialog box andselecting the matte.

The clip slide button 865 or clip scroll button 866 are operated toadjust the clip level in the event that the outlines of the insertedcharacters or shapes are not clear, by positioning the clip slide button865 at a certain position.

The gain slide button 867 and gain scroll button 868 are operated whenadjusting the darkness of the inserted characters and shapes.

The density slide button 869 and density scroll button 870 are operatedwhen adjusting the transparency of the inserted characters and shapes.

The display portion 871 is operated in the event of inserting a separatefloppy disk into the computer to change the key fill signal image data,and display and setting is performed.

At the mask display portion 890, settings are performed for hiding(masking) unnecessary portions of the characters and shapes to beinserted. The check-button 890 a is checked to validate the set mask. Atthe display portion 891, selection is made whether the outside of thearea to be masked (rectangular area) is to be masked (NORMAL), orwhether the inside is to be masked (INVERT). The slide buttons 892, 894,896, 896, and the scroll buttons 893, 895, 897, 899 are operated whenspecifying the left, right, top, and bottom edges of the area to bemasked.

At the transition display portion 900, the time from start to end of thedownstream key effects can be specified in the number of frames. At thedisplay portion 902, the user can select one of the following presetnumber of frames: 10, 15, 30, 45, 60. Or, in the event that “user” isselected, an arbitrary number of frames can be set to the displayportion 902. The preview button 905 is operated for previewing theexecution of the stream key setting effects based on this dialog box.The preview screen is displayed in the replay video screen 23 a.

Operating the slide button 903 or scroll button 904 of the fader allowsthe user to confirm the preview screen at a certain transition position.

The cancel button 911 is operated when canceling the parameters set inthis DSK set-up dialog box, and the OK button is operated in the case ofvalidating the settings.

The user sets the parameters using the above-described DSK set-up dialogbox.

Next, the flow proceeds to step S262, where the mask check-box 890 a inthe DSK set-up dialog box is checked, and judgment is made whether ornot the mask setting is on or not. In step S262, if judgment is madethat the mask setting is not on, the flow proceeds to step S263, andother setting processing is performed using the DSK set-up dialog box.

In step S262, if judgment is made that the mask setting is on, the flowproceeds to step S264, and as shown in FIG. 45, the CPU 10 displays DSKmask area bars “BAR 2L”, “BAR 2R”, “BAR 2T”, and “BAR 2B” on the replayvideo display 23 a, in accordance with the horizontal and vertical edgeportions set in the mask display portion 890 of the DSK setup dialogbox.

In step S265, the flow waits until the bars “BAR 2L” through “BAR 2B”are dragged by the mouse 2 d. In event that one is dragged, the flowproceeds to step S266, the new position of the bar is calculated fromthe coordinates of the mouse pointer, and the bar is moved to anddisplayed at the new position. For example, in the event that the bar“BAR 2L” is dragged to the right or left of the present position, thebar “BAR 2L” is moved to and displayed at the new position to which ithas been dragged. Also, for example, in the event that the bar “BAR 2T”is dragged upwards or downwards from the present position, the bar “BAR2T” is moved to and displayed at the new position to which it has beendragged. Thus, not only can the user use the DSK set-up dialog to setthe mask area, but can operate the mouse 2 d while watching the actualdisplay screen to set the mask area. Accordingly, even more appropriatesetting can be performed.

Further, even in the event that the user directly operates the bars “BAR2L” through “BAR 2B” while watching the screen in step S266 to set themask area, that setting position is reflected at the mask displayportion 890 in the DSK set-up dialog box.

Next, the flow proceeds to step S267, and judgment is made whether ornot the OK button 912 in the DSK set-up dialog box has been turned on;in the event that it has not been turned on, the flow proceeds to stepS268, and the parameters set using the DSK set-up dialog box are savedin the RAM 10 b.

This system is particularly adept at handling live footage, and isarranged so as to be able to provide effects in real-time to livefootage (to apply effects to live pictures of presently unfoldingevents). However, the effects which can be applied to live footage are,besides DSK processing, limited to Picture-in-Picture or Splitprocessing that is used at a high frequency for live pictures.

In the case of applying effects to live pictures, the direct button 25 pin the picture effects setting area 25 is operated. Operating thisdirect button 25 p displays the direct effects operating window shown inFIG. 46. The DSK internal ON button 801 is operated for starting orending DKS processing by key signals or fill signals read in from thefloppy disk 742 of the picture effects device 6 shown in FIG. 4. The DSKexternal button 802 is operated for starting or ending DKS processing byDSK fill signals input from the DSK FILL IN terminal 701 or DSK keysignals input from the DSK KEY IN terminal 702 shown in FIG. 4.

The DSK set-up button 803 is a button which is turned on in order todisplay the above-described DSK set-up dialog box shown in FIG. 44, forsetting up for executing the above-described DSK processing.

The direct OUT set-up button 805 is a button operated for displaying thedirect effects set-up dialog box shown in FIG. 47, and the direct OUT ONbutton 804 is a button operated for operating the OUT set-up button 805to display direct effects set-up dialog box when stating or ending thescreen display based on the set parameters. For example, a picture canbe output with the sub-screen displayed at an adjusted position byoperating the direct OUT ON button 804 following adjusting of theposition of the sub-screen in Picture-in-Picture to a certain position,as described above.

As shown in FIG. 47, in the event of setting new effects in the displayportion 811 in the direct effects set-up dialog box, or when callingalready-set effects, a pattern No. can be specified.

At the output style display portion 812, the user can select from atotal of six types of direct effect patterns, i.e., twoPicture-in-Picture effects and four split effects. Selecting themain-in-sub display portion 813 executes Picture-in-Picture effectswherein the main screen is inserted into the sub-screen. Selecting thesub-in-main display portion 814 executes Picture-in-Picture effectswherein the sub-screen is inserted into the main screen. Selecting theV-M/S display portion 815 displays a split screen which splits thescreen into right and left, with the main screen to the left and thesub-screen to the right. Selecting the V-S/M display portion 816displays a split screen which splits the screen into right and left,with the main screen to the left and the sub-screen to the right.Selecting the H-M/S display portion 817 displays a split screen whichsplits the screen into top and bottom, with the main screen to the topand the sub-screen to the bottom. Selecting the H-S/M display portion818 displays a split screen which splits the screen into top and bottom,with the sub-screen to the top and the main screen to the bottom.

At the edge display portion 821, edge setting is performed for theeffect patterns selected at the output style display portion 812. Thecheck-button 821 a is checked to provide an edge to the effect pattern.With the display portion 822, either a border or a soft edge can beselected for the edge. Checking the check-box 823 selects one or theother of the border or soft edge. Operating the slide button 824 or thescroll button 825 at the WIDTH/SOFT display portion allows the user toselect the width of the border edge or soft edge.

At the inner picture location display portion 831, in the event thatPicture-in-Picture is selected at the output style display portion 812,the size and position of the screen to be inserted (i.e., thesub-screen) can be specified. X represents the X-coordinates of thecenter point of the sub-screen, and Y represents the Y-coordinatesthereof. Also, Size is used to set the sub-screen to a certain size byoperating the slide button 836 or scroll button 837 so as to positionthe slide button 836 at a certain position.

The cancel button 838 is operated for canceling the parameters set inthis direct effects set-up dialog box, and the OK button 839 is operatedfor validating the settings.

Also, the present system has voice-over functions for changing audiosignals into other audio signals and outputting them. Next, descriptionwill be made regarding the voice-over functions with reference to theflowchart shown in FIG. 48.

First, in step S281, the user operates the mode button 22 b in thetiming display area 22 and sets the time-line mode. Then, the user turnsthe voice-over button 21 d on. At this time, the CPU 10 proceeds to stepS282, and sets the voice-over editing mode. Then, in step S283, the CPU10 displays the phrase “VOICE OVER” on the display portion 26 j servingas the status display area in FIG. 6.

Next, in step S284, the user executes a process to array events on thevideo track 40 d within the time-line display area 40. This can becarried out by operating the mouse 2 d to drag and drop the clip imagedata displayed in the program display area 30, for example.

Next, the flow proceeds to step S285, and the user operates thevoice-over channel specifying button 45 c to specify a voice-overchannel from the four channels. FIG. 49 shows the time-line display area40 wherein No. 4 channel has been specified from the four channels asthe voice-over channel. As shown in the same Figure, in this case, onlythe No. 4 channel is used as the voice-over channel, and new audiosignals are recorded there.

Next, the flow proceeds to step S286, and the user specifies theIN-point and OUT-point for voice-over with the edit bar 40 k of thetime-line display area 40 as a reference. This specification isperformed by turning the search button 40 m of the time-line displayarea 40 shown in FIG. 7, or the scroll buttons 40 i and 40 j on, andoperating the mark-IN button 27 c and the mark-OUT button 27 f whilewatching the image displayed in increments of frames on the replay videoscreen 23 a.

FIG. 50 illustrates an example of display on the time-line display area40 in the event that the IN-point has been specified first. As shown inthe Figure, in the event that the IN-point is specified, the range ofthe audio track 40 h that follows time-wise is shaded. Conversely, inthe event that the OUT-point is specified first, the range that precedesthe edit bar 40 k time-wise is shaded. When both the IN-point andOUT-point have been specified, as shown in FIG. 52, the range betweenthe IN-point and OUT-point is shaded. The user can thus visually confirmthe range for voice-over.

When the voice-over range has been set as described above, the user canthen preview to confirm the set range. The processing in this case willbe described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 53.

When starting the preview, first, in step S301, the user turns thepreview button 45 b shown in FIG. 6 on. At this time, in step S302, theCPU 10 controls the hybrid recorder 3 via the RS-422, and executespreview replaying. At this time, as shown in FIG. 54, the CPU startsreplaying from a position reaching back by a certain amount of time(e.g., 5 seconds) from the IN-point of the voice-over, and continuesreplaying until a position past the OUT-point of the voice-over by acertain amount of time (e.g., 5 seconds). In the case of this example,the range of playing before the IN-point and after the OUT-point is 5seconds each, but this time of 5 seconds can be set to an arbitraryvalue.

Also, in step S303, the CPU 10 issues commands to the CPU 303 of thehybrid recorder 3 and controls the audio data control unit 317 (FIG. 18)such that, as shown in FIG. 55, replay output is made from the HDD 300for the 5 seconds before the voice over IN-point, and the audio signalsof the voice-over channel (in this case, the No. 4 channel) are outputfrom the speaker 320 at a normal level, but the audio signals aredecayed by 10 dB during the IN-point and OUT-point of the voice-over.Then, and the audio signals of the voice-over channel are again outputfrom the speaker 320 at a normal level for the 5 seconds following thevoice over OUT-point. Thus, the user can audibly confirm the voice-overrange.

It is needless to say that the corresponding video image is displayed onthe replay video screen 23 a during preview replaying.

Thus, following conducting preview replay, the user decides in step S304whether or not there is any need to correct the voice-over range. In thecase that judgment is passed that there is need for correction, the flowproceeds to step S305 and executes voice-over input processing. Then,following the voice-over input processing shown in FIG. 48, the flowreturns to step S301, and repeats the subsequent processing.

In the case that judgment is passed in step S304 that there is no needfor correction, the flow proceeds to step S306, where the user judgeswhether or not there is any need to delete the once-set voice-overrange. In the event that there is a need to delete this, the flowproceeds to step S307, and the user operates the delete button 36. Atthis time, the CPU 10 proceeds the step S308 and executes the processfor deleting the once-set voice-over range. In the case that judgment ispassed in step S306 that there is no need to delete the once-setvoice-over range, the preview processing ends.

Thus, following confirming the set voice-over range by previewing, andthen actually executing the voice-over, new audio signals can berecorded in the No. channel. Next, the voice-over recording process inthis case will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 56.

First, in step S321, the user turns the recording start/stop button 31 aon. When this button 31 a is turned on, the flow proceeds to step S322,where the CPU 10 controls the hybrid recorder 3 via the RS-422, andstarts the replaying and recording operation. At this time, the CPU 303of the hybrid recorder 3 controls the HDD 300, and as shown in FIG. 55,causes it to replay the same range as the previewed range. However, asshown in FIG. 57, recording of the audio signals for voice-over startsfrom a point reaching back before the IN-point by a preset margin. Thenthe flow proceeds to stet S323, where the CPU 10 executes the IN-pointsign output processing. Details of the IN-point sign output processingare shown in FIG. 58.

That is, in the IN-point sign output processing, first, in step S341,the flow waits till 3 seconds before the IN-point for voice-over, andwhen this point has been reached, the flow proceeds to step S342, wherea character indicating that the time is 3 seconds before the IN-point isdisplayed, and an audio signal is also output. Specifically, the CPU 10displays a shape representing a hand holding up three fingers (see FIG.60A) on the display video screen 23 a. Also, the CPU 10 controls theaudio data control unit 317 via the CPU 303 so as to output an audiosignal “beep” indicating that the time is 3 seconds before the IN-pointfrom the speaker 320, as shown in FIG. 61.

In the next step S343, the flow waits till 2 seconds before theIN-point, proceeds to step S342, where a signaling character isdisplayed, and an audio signal is also output. Specifically, the CPU 10displays a shape representing a hand holding up two fingers (see FIG.60B) on the display video screen 23 a. Also, the CPU 10 outputs an audiosignal “beep” from the speaker 320 indicating that the time is 2 secondsbefore the IN-point, as shown in FIG. 61.

In the next step S345, the flow waits till 1 second before the IN-point,and when this point has been reached, the flow proceeds to step S346,where a signaling character is displayed, and an audio signal is alsooutput. In this case, the CPU 10 displays a shape representing a handholding up one finger (see FIG. 60C) on the display video screen 23 a.Also, the CPU 10 outputs an audio signal “beep” from the speaker 320indicating that the time is 1 second before the IN-point, as shown inFIG. 61.

Next, in step S347, the flow waits till the IN-point, and when thispoint has been reached, the flow proceeds to step S348, where asignaling character is displayed. Specifically, in this case, the CPU 10displays a shape representing a hand signaling the start of voice-over(see FIG. 60D) on the display video screen 23 a. Thus, the announcer cangrasp the timing for starting speaking for the voice-over.

In this way, when the flow reaches the voice-over point, the CPU 10controls the CPU 303 of the hybrid recorder 3 in step S324 so as tocontrol the CPU 303 of the hybrid recorder 3, and decays the level ofthe replay audio signals. In response to the commands, the CPU 303controls the audio data control unit 317, decays the level of the audiosignals by 10 dB, and outputs the signals from the speaker 320.

Also, the announcer to input the audio signals for voice-over startsinputting the voice-over audio signals from the microphone 8 at thetiming of the shape shown in FIG. 60D being displayed on the replayvideo screen. The audio signals are input to the audio data control unit317 via the switch 315 and A/D converter 316, and are superimposed ontothe audio signals replayed from the HDD 300 in the audio data controlunit 317. In the above example, the audio signals replayed by the HDD300 were decayed by 10 dB and synthesized with the audio signals inputfrom the microphone 8, but in the event that the audio signals replayedby the HDD 300 are completely decayed, the audio signals replayed by theHDD 300 can be essentially replaced with the audio signals input fromthe microphone 8.

The audio signals output from the audio data control unit 317 are inputto the video tape recorder 301 via the decoder 305, first switch 304,and encoder 306, where they are recorded, and also input to the HDD 300via the second switch 307 and buffer 308, and recorded in an AA area(later-described with reference to FIG. 66) on the hard disk that isreserved for audio signals.

Next, the flow proceeds to step S325 in FIG. 56, and executes OUT-pointsign output processing. The details of OUT,-point sign output processingare described in FIG. 62. The processing performed in steps S361 throughS368 is basically the same as the processing performed in steps S341 through S348 for IN-point sign output processing as shown in FIG. 58. Inthis case, the shape shown in FIG. 60A is displayed on the display videoscreen 23 a 3 seconds before reaching the OUT-point, the shape shown inFIG. 60B is displayed 2 seconds before reaching the OUT-point, the shapeshown in FIG. 60C is displayed 1 second before reaching the OUT-point,and the shape shown in FIG. 60D is displayed at the OUT-point. Also, asshown in FIG. 1, audio signals “beep” are output 3, 2, and 1 secondbefore reaching the OUT-point.

Thus, the announcer can grasp the timing to end the audio signals forvoice-over.

Returning the FIG. 56, after the OUT-point sign output processing iscompleted, the flow proceeds to step S326, and waits till the recordingends. This recording also continues past the OUT-point of voice-overuntil the amount of margin time elapses, as shown in FIG. 57. In stepS326, at the point that judgment is made that the amount of margin timefrom the OUT-point has elapsed, the flow proceeds to step S327, and thecording process ends. However, replaying is performed along the samerange as the preview range shown in FIG. 55. When the recordingprocessing ends thus, as shown in FIG. 63, the shape of a microphonerepresenting “recording completed” is displayed at the head of thevoice-over setting range of the No. 4 channel in the time-line displayarea 40, and the phrase “VOICE OVER” is displayed on the voice-oversection.

Thus, the range of voice-over recording is from the position reachingback from the IN-point by a range set as a protection margin to theposition past the OUT-point by a range set as a protection margin. Theprotection margins can be set to certain values beforehand.Incidentally, these protection margins are defined separately from thefive-second period for previewing.

In this way, once voice-over recording has been completed, previewing isperformed again, and the work can be confirmed. When the work has beenconfirmed, processing is performed for saving the various voice-overparameters as a time-line file. FIG. 64 represents the saving process atthis time.

First, in step S391, the user turns the Time Line button on the menu bar20 (see FIG. 6) on. At this time, a pull-down menu is displayed in stepS392, so the user selects the “save” button from the pull-down menu instep S393, and turns it on. At this time, in step S394, the CPU 10 savesthe voice-over parameters in the RAM 10 b. Next, the flow proceeds tostep S395, and the CPU 10 erases the shading on the voice-over sectionof the No. 4 audio channel, as shown in FIG. 65, thereby notifying theuser that the saving process has been completed. Further the flowproceeds to step S396, where the CPU 10 ends the voice-over editingmode, and executes processing to go to the normal mode.

FIG. 66 is a model representation of the recording area of the hard disk300A driven by the HDD 300 of the hybrid recorder 3 which executes theabove voice-over processing. As shown in the Figure, the hard disk 300Ais sectioned into Zone 1 through Zone 7. A file system area is formed ofthe cylinder Nos. or sector Nos. in ascending order, then next a CA(Continuous Area) 1 for recording video data and audio data is formed,and then next an AA (Audio Area) for recording only audio data isformed. The aforementioned voice-over data is stored in this AA area.After the AA area is formed a CA area 2 for recording both audio dataand video data. In the following RA area, Edit Decision List (EDL) data,programs relating to the button processing for the panel of the hybridrecorder, etc., are stored. Further, the next area for tidying mode isused for temporary data saving. Recorded in the final self-diagnosisarea is programs and data for performing initial operation.

As described above, with the editing system shown in FIG. 2, a maximumof five devices can be connected to the computer 2. Further, thecomputer 2 is capable of synchronously operating a maximum of fivedevices. The operation for this synchronous action will be describedbelow.

When controlling the synchronous operation of the connected devices, theuser turns the option button 22 h in the timing display area 22 on, todisplay the pull-down menu. The user selects the multi-control panelfrom the pull-down menu, and the CPU 10 then displays a multi-controlpanel as shown in FIG. 67. The display portion 901 of the multi-controlpanel displays the status of the five video tape recorder devices.

In the case of this example, the main tape recorder and the sub taperecorder are stopped, so the word STOP is displayed on the correspondingdisplay portion 901.

Also, the display portion 902 displays information relating to thedevices connected to the five ports of the personal computer 2. In thecase of this example, the recorder connected to the control port withthe smallest No. is used as the main recorder, and is displayed as MAIN.The recorder connected to the control port with the next smallest No. isused as the sub recorder, and is displayed as SUB. Recorders other thanthe main recorder and sub recorder are displayed as SYNC. DISCONNECT isdisplayed for ports to which the device is not connected. EFFECTER isdisplayed for the port to which the picture effects device 6 isconnected.

The display unit 903 displays five control port buttons 903 a through903E. The single-play button 904 is operated when locking or unlockingthe synchronous control settings for the plurality of devices connectedto the ports. Locking the single-play button 904 lights the indicators903 a through 903 e of the five control port buttons 903A through 903Egreen. At this time, the five devices operated synchronously.

FIG. 68 illustrates a process example of operating the multi-controlpanel shown in FIG. 97 to perform multi-synchronous processing.

First, in step S411, the CPU 10 sets the synchronous mode as a default.That is, the default setting is the state in which the single-playbutton 904 is turned on. In this case, of the devices connected, theindicators 903 a through 903 e of the control port buttons 903A through903E to which synchronously-operable devices are connected are lit greenin step S412.

Next, in step S413, judgment is made in step S413 whether or not thesingle play button 904 has been turned on, andlin the event that it hasbeen turned on, the flow proceeds to step S415, and judgment is madewhether or not the synchronous mode is currently set. In the event thatthe synchronous mode is not currently set, the flow returns to stepS411, sets the synchronous mode, and in step S412, the indicators of thecontrol port buttons to which synchronously-operable devices areconnected are lit green.

In step S415, if judgment is made that the current mode is not thesynchronous mode, the flow proceeds to step S416, and processing forcanceling the synchronous mode is executed. Then, in step S417, theindicators of the control port buttons to which synchronously-operabledevices are connected are turned off. Subsequently, the flow returns tostep S413.

In step S413, if it is judged that the single play button 904 is not on,the flow proceeds to step S414, and judges whether or not the controlport buttons 903A through 903E are on. In the event that the controlport buttons 903A through 903E are not on, the flow returns to stepS413, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

In step S414, in the event that it is judged that the control portbuttons 903A through 903E are on, the flow proceeds to step S418, andjudgment is made whether the synchronous mode is set for the controlport buttons. In the event that an operated control port buttons is setto the synchronous mode, the flow proceeds to step S419, and judgment ismade whether or not that control port button is the main channel controlport button 903A. In the event that that control port button is the mainchannel control port button 903A, the synchronous mode cannot becanceled, so the flow returns to step S413, and the subsequentprocessing is repeated.

In step S418, in the event that judgment is made that a channelcorresponding to the control port button that was just operated is notset to the synchronous mode, and that the channel of the control portbutton that was just operated is not the main channel, the flow proceedsto step S420. In step S420, judgment is made whether or not the devicecorresponding to the operated control port button is synchronouslyoperating. In the event that it is judged that the corresponding deviceis synchronously operating, the flow proceeds to step S421, and thesynchronous operation of that device is canceled. Then, in step S422,the indicator is turned off. In step S420, in the event that it isjudged that the corresponding device is not synchronously operating, theflow proceeds to step S423, and the device is operated synchronously.Then, the flow proceeds to step S424, and the indicator thereof is litgreen. Then, following the processing of step S422 and step S424, theflow returns to step S413.

In this way, in the event that there is a device that the user desiresto remove from synchronous control, the user clicks on the control portbutton of the corresponding No., and turns the indicator of that buttonoff. However, clicking on the control button cannot remove the mainrecorder for the main channel from the synchronous control. In order toremove the main channel from synchronous control, the single play button904 is clicked, the synchronous control settings are put in the unlockedstate, following which the control port button of the main channel isclicked to turn the indicator off.

Next, processing for synchronously operating a plurality of devices(hybrid recorder 3) will be described below. Now, description will bemade regarding processing for identifying an image displayed on thereplay video screen 23 a in a case wherein the mark-IN button has beenoperated. First, with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 69, descriptionwill be made regarding the mark data generating processing in responseto the mark-IN button 27 c being operated.

In step S441, when the mark-IN button 27 c is operated, the CPUinstructs the first video processor 11 in step S442 to take in an image.The CPU 10 proceeds to step S443, performs image compression processingat the timing that the mark-IN button 27 c was operated, and when theimage compressing process is completed in step S444, the image dataintake processing is executed in step S445.

On the other hand, the CPU, having instructed image intake in step S442,reads the time code of the compressed image in step 446. Then, further,in step S447, the CPU 10 the address of the hard disk of the hybridrecording corresponding with the time code is obtained from the built-incorrelation table.

Thus, the compressed image is read in step S445, and the address wherethe image corresponding to that compressed image is stored is obtainedin step S447, whereby the process of establishing the mark point data isexecuted in step S448. That is to say, subsequently, the CPU 10 canoperate the mark-IN button 27 c to obtain specified images from thismark point data, as needed.

In this way, e.g., the main channel image can be specified at a certaintiming, but a sub-channel image for example with the same timing can bedisplayed simultaneously as described above, as a Picture-in-Pictureimage. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 70, when the CPU 10 outputs acommand to the external interface 18 at a certain timing, this commandis synchronized with certain reference signals, and is simultaneouslysent to the hybrid recorder 3 a and hybrid recorder 3 b at a secondtiming from the external interface 18 via the RS-422 cable.

That is, as shown in FIG. 71, in the event that a command is issued atthe timing of the frame F2, this command is synchronized with thereference signal that occurs immediately afterwards, and the command isthus simultaneously set to both the hybrid recorder 3 a and hybridrecorder 3 b at the second timing. The hybrid recorders 3 a and 3 b areboth operating synchronously with the reference signals. Accordingly,image signals with the same timing can be obtained from the two hybridrecorders 3 a and 3 b.

In the above configuration, two graphics modes are provided to theediting system 1 for GUI purposes. One is the picture mode wherein theoperator watches IN point and OUT point screens of registered events,and rearranges the order of the events to edit the program, and theother is the time-line mode wherein the operator rearranges the order ofthe events to edit the program while watching the time-length of theregistered events. With this editing system 1, the operator can easilyswitch between these two modes by clicking on the mode button 22 b, sothe user can select the GUI with greater ease-of-use depending on theobject of editing. Accordingly, useability in editing work with thisediting system 1 is improved over known editing systems.

In the events such as where there are no time restrictions on theprogram, the user can select the picture mode and watch IN point and OUTpoint clip image data to conduct editing, and thereby proceed with theediting wok while confirming what sort of events the program to begenerated is comprised of. In the event that there is time restrictionon the program, the time-line mode can be selected, wherein the displayarea of each event changes depending on the length of the event, so theuser can easily generate a program of the desired length by watching thetime line while inserting events or overwriting events.

Also, with this editing system 1, a program view area 42 is provided forthe time-line mode, and the IN-point clip image data for each eventmaking up the program is displayed by the program view area 42. Thus,event in the time-line mode the user can easily confirm what sort ofevents the generated program is comprised of.

Also, with this editing system 1, a pre-roll mode is provided wherein,in the event that an IN-point is specified by operating the mark-INbutton 42 c, replay action is automatically started from a point backedup from the IN-point by a certain amount of time. Accordingly, if such apre-roll mode is activated beforehand, in the case of live broadcastingof a baseball game, for example, even in the case that the mark-INbutton 42 c is clicked at the point in time that the ball hit by thebatter flies over the fence to specify the IN-point, replay isautomatically started from a point backed up from the IN-point by acertain amount of time, so the user can easily correct the IN-pointposition by watching the replay screen and clicking the mark-IN button27 c on the replay side. In this way, events including desired scenessuch as the instant of the batter hitting the ball-can be easily createdin real-time.

Also, in the case of this editing system 1, the replay speed stettingarea 25 a is used so that the replay speed of the event can be set to anarbitrary speed. Accordingly, in the case of live broadcasting of abaseball game, for example, slow-motion replay can be set for the eventconsisting of the batter hitting the home-run, thereby providing theaudience with a picture of the movement of the batter and the flight ofthe ball in an even more realistic representation.

Also, in the case of this editing system 1, a hybrid recorder 3 whichcan perform recording and replaying simultaneously is used, so recordingand replaying can be performed simultaneously for real-time editing.Further, in the case of this editing system 1, video signals V2 from thesource side, video signals V6 obtained by replaying editing events andprograms, clip image data representing events and programs, etc., aredisplayed on a single monitor 2 b, so there is no need to provide aplurality of monitors as with known arrangements, and editing work canbe carried out sufficiently even in on-location environments with littlespace, besides simplifying the configuration of the overall system.

According to the above configuration, both the time-line display areawhich displays the time-wise length of the events making up thegenerated program by the size of the display area, and the program viewarea 42 which displays the events making up the program by clip imagedata of the IN-points or OUT-points of the events, are displayed on themonitor 2 b, so the user can look at the program view area 42 and easilytell what sort of events make up the program. Also, a hybrid recorder 3which can perform recording and replaying simultaneously is used, sorecording and replaying can be performed simultaneously for real-timeediting. Such an arrangement realizes an editing system 1 with improvedease-of use capable of high-speed real-time editing.

Now, in the above embodiment, an arrangement using a hybrid recorder 3comprised of a hard disk drive 300 and video tape recorder 301 has beendescribed, but a recording/replaying device comprised simply of a harddisk drive may be used. In brief, advantages similar to theabove-described embodiment can be obtained by using anyrecording/replaying device capable of simultaneous recording andreplaying, so long as is consists of storing means for storing thesource video data to a storing medium, replaying means for replaying thesource video data stored within the storing medium while recording thesource video data to the storing medium, and output means for outputtingthe recorded source video data and replayed source video data.

Also, in the above embodiment, an arrangement is described wherein akeyboard 2 c, mouse 2 d, of a dedicated controller 2 e are used forinputting of various types of commands and information to the editingsystem 1, but other input devices may be used for the inputting ofvarious types of commands and information; in brief, all that isnecessary is user interface means for inputting the various types ofcommands and information from the operator to the editing system 1.

Further, in the above embodiment, description was made of an arrangementwherein the display of the time-line display area 40 and program viewarea 42 on the monitor 2 b is controlled by the CPU 10 and displaycontroller 13; however, these two control means may be formed into asingle control means for controlling the display of the time-linedisplay area and program view area on the display means.

As described above, an editing system with improved useability, whichrealizes special effects while also realizing high-speed real-timeediting, is thus provided.

What is claimed is:
 1. An editing system for editing source video data,said system comprising: a recording/replaying device for recording saidsource video data onto a randomly accessible recording medium, andreplaying said source video data recorded onto said recording medium; aneffects device for generating effect video data by means of applyingeffects specified by the editing operator to said replayed video dataoutput from said recording/replaying device; and a computer which isprogramed by user interface means and said editing operator with editingsoftware, said computer displaying a graphical user interfacecorresponding with said editing software program on a display; whereinsaid computer generates desired editing programs by re-arranging in adesired order a plurality of clip images representing a plurality ofediting events and clip images having graphics representing said effectson said display, based on editing processing controlled by said editingoperator; and wherein a final edited video program is generated bycontrolling said recording/replaying device and said effects device,based on said editing programs.
 2. The editing system according to claim1, wherein said computer is programmed to display the following windowson said display: a video display window for displaying video datareplayed from said recording/replaying device as a dynamic image; aprogram display window for displaying a plurality of clip imagesrepresenting said plurality of editing events and a plurality of clipimages representing said plurality of effects, and also generating saidediting program by means of re-arranging said clip images in a desiredorder; and an effects set-up window for setting effects parameter valuesrelating to said effects.
 3. An editing system for editing source videodata, said system comprising: a recording/replaying device for recordingsaid source video data onto a randomly accessible recording medium, andreplaying said source video data recorded onto said recording medium; aneffects device for generating effect video data by means of applyingeffects specified by the editing operator to said replayed video dataoutput from said recording/replaying device; and a computer which isprogrammed by user interface means and said editing operator withediting software, said computer displaying a graphical user interfacecorresponding with said editing software program on a display, saidcomputer generating desired editing programs by re-arranging in adesired order a plurality of clip images representing a plurality ofediting events and clip images representing said effects on saiddisplay, based on editing processing by said editing operator, wherein afinal edited video program is generated by controlling saidrecording/replaying device and said effects device, based on saidediting programs; wherein said computer is programmed to display thefollowing windows on said display: a video display window for displayingvideo data replayed from said recording/replaying device as a dynamicimage; a program display window for displaying a plurality of clipimages representing said plurality of editing events and a plurality ofclip images representing said plurality of effects, and also generatingsaid editing program by means of re-arranging said clip images in adesired order; and an effects set-up window for setting effectsparameter values relating to said effects; wherein, in the event ofinserting effects set in said effects set-up window between editingevents displayed on said program display window, said computer isprogrammed to point to the insertion position of said effects bychanging the form of a pointing device displayed on said display.
 4. Theediting system according to claim 3, wherein said computer is programmedto insert effects between said events by dragging and dropping buttonsrepresenting said effects between said events.
 5. The editing systemaccording to claim 4, wherein said computer is programmed to determinethe insertion position of said effects according to the position fordropping the cursor representing said effects in said clip image displayarea where said events of said effects are displayed.
 6. The editingsystem according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of effect buttons forsetting desired effects are provided in said effects set-up window. 7.The editing system according to claim 6, wherein, in the event thatdesired effect parameter values differing from the default values are tobe set for effects displayed in said effects set-up window, saidcomputer opens an effects set-up dialog box for setting detailed effectparameter values relating to the specified effects on the display; andwherein the effect parameter values set in said effects set-up dialogbox are stored in storing means; and wherein said effects device iscontrolled based on said recorded effect parameter values.
 8. Theediting system according to claim 6, wherein, in the event that desiredeffect parameter values are to be set for effects displayed in saideffects set-up window, said computer sets said effects position in saidvideo display window; and wherein effect parameter values correspondingto said set effects position are stored in storing means; and whereinsaid effects device is controlled based on said recorded effectparameter values.
 9. The editing system according to claim 7, whereinsaid computer is programmed to appropriate the effect parameter valuesstored in said storing means to user buttons other than said certaineffect buttons, and call desired effect parameter values stored in saidstoring means by selecting said user buttons.
 10. The editing systemaccording to claim 9, wherein said computer is programmed to appropriatethe effect parameter values stored in said storing means to user buttonsother than said certain effect buttons, by dragging and dropping saidcertain effect buttons on said user buttons.
 11. The editing systemaccording to claim 7, wherein said computer is programmed to appropriatea plurality of effect parameter values that have been set in the past bysaid effects set-up dialog box to user buttons other than said certaineffect buttons displayed in said effects set-up window, and call desiredeffect parameter values stored in said storing means by selecting saiduser buttons.
 12. The editing system according to claim 11, wherein saidcomputer has management record data for managing clip image datadisplayed in said program display area.
 13. The editing system accordingto claim 12, wherein, in the event of changing the display order of clipimages displayed in said program display area, said computer does notchange the storage address of the clip image displayed in said programdisplay area, but rather changes said management record datacorresponding with the changed clip image.
 14. The editing systemaccording to claim 13, wherein said computer manages the clip imagesdisplayed on said program display area by using a link structure forlinking said plurality of pieces of management record data.
 15. Theediting system according to claim 14, wherein said management recorddata is comprised of management record data having information relatingto said editing events, and management record data having informationrelating to said effects.
 16. The editing system according to claim 15,wherein said management record data relating to said editing events hastime code for editing points of said editing events, storing addresseswhich store clip images of said editing points, and pointer datapointing to management records linking to management record datarelating to said editing events; and wherein said management record datarelating to said effects has effect types indicating the type of saideffects, effect times representing the execution time of said effects,and pointer data pointing to management records linking to managementrecord data relating to said editing events; and wherein said computercontrols said recording/replaying device and said effects deviceaccording to the parameters set in said management record data relatingto said editing events and said management record data relating to saideffects.
 17. An editing device according to claim 16, wherein, in theevent that a first editing event, a second editing event, and a firsteffect inserted between said first and second editing events are set onsaid program display area, said editing device said recording/replayingdevice and said effects device so as to: replay video data relating tosaid first editing event from said recording/replaying device based onthe time code data of the IN-point set in the management record datacorresponding to said first editing event; control the effectsprocessing timing for the video data relating to said first editingevent according to the time code data of the OUT-point set in themanagement record data corresponding to said first editing event, andaccording to the effects time set in the management record datacorresponding to said first effect; control the effects processingtiming for the video data relating to said second editing eventaccording to the time code data of the IN-point set in the managementrecord data corresponding to said first editing event, and according tothe effects time set in the management record data, corresponding tosaid first effect; and ending the replaying of video data relating tosaid first editing event from said recording/replaying device based onthe time code data of the OUT-point set in the management record datacorresponding with said first recording event.
 18. An editing method forediting source video data, said method comprising the steps of:recording said source video data on to a randomly accessible recordingmedium, and replaying said source video data recorded onto saidrecording medium; generating effect video data by means of applyingeffects specified by an editing operator to said replayed video data;controlling said recording and replaying with the use of a computer toperform editing operations for generating a final video program byediting said source video data; generating, via said computer, desiredediting programs by re-arranging in a desired order a plurality of clipimages representing a plurality of editing events and clip images havinggraphics representing said effects on said display, based on editingprocessing controlled by an editing operator; and generating a finaledited video program by controlling said recording, replaying andeffects generating based on said editing programs.
 19. An editing devicefor editing source video data recorded in a recording/replaying deviceand source audio data corresponding to said source video data, saidediting device comprising: means for setting a start point and stoppoint for performing voice-over processing to said source audio data;means for replaying source video data and source audio data for at leasta period including the voice-over period defined by the start point andstop point of said voice-over processing; and control means for loweringthe level of the source audio data replayed from saidrecording/replaying device from a certain time before the start point ofsaid voice-over processing to a certain time after the end point of saidvoice-over processing, and also for controlling recording of voice-overaudio data supplied as audio data subjected to voice-over processing forsaid source video data with said recording/replaying device.
 20. Anediting device according to claim 19, wherein, during the replaying ofsaid source video data and source audio data, said control meansdisplays the timing of the start point and stop point for performingvoice-over processing on the display.
 21. An editing method for editingsource video data recorded in a recording/replaying device and sourceaudio data corresponding to said source video data, said editing methodcomprising the steps of: setting a start point and stop point forperforming voice-over processing to said source audio data; replayingsource video data and source audio data for at least a period includingthe voice-over period defined by the start point and stop point of saidvoice-over processing; and lowering the level of the source audio datareplayed from said recording/replaying device from a certain time beforethe start point of said voice-over processing to a certain time afterthe end point of said voice-over processing, and also recordingvoice-over audio data supplied as audio data subjected to voice-overprocessing for said source video data with said recording/replayingdevice.
 22. The editing system according to claim 1, wherein saideffects include a wipe effect, and said graphics include a graphicrepresenting said wipe effect composed of a rectangle with one sideappearing different from another side to indicate the direction thatsaid wipe effect is to be implemented on said source video data.
 23. Theediting system of claim 22 wherein said graphic further includes anarrow indicating the direction that said wipe effect is to beimplemented.